Mauganj: A shocking revelation from Mauganj in Madhya Pradesh has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the criminal justice system, exposing what appears to be a “witness factory” operating under police supervision. At the centre of the controversy is a driver, Rajesh Saket, attached to the Hanumana police station, who has allegedly turned into a “professional witness,” appearing in dozens of cases.
According to reports, Saket has testified in over 48 cases in the past eight months alone. In an extraordinary instance on March 28, 2026, he, along with another individual, reportedly gave statements in six different cases across locations within a 50-kilometre radius — raising serious doubts about the authenticity of such testimonies. Investigations suggest that a small group of individuals, including Suryamani Mishra and Pushpraj Dwivedi, have collectively appeared as witnesses in more than 300 cases over the years.
Critics argue that such “fixed witnesses” undermine the very foundation of justice, where witness testimony plays a crucial role in court verdicts. Despite strict observations by the Supreme Court of India against the use of “pocket witnesses,” the practice appears to persist.
The controversy has also brought scrutiny on local police officials, particularly the station in-charge, whose past record has reportedly been under question. While a high-level committee has been formed under court directions to probe such practices, action on the ground remains limited.
The incident has sparked outrage, with growing calls for accountability and reforms to ensure fairness and credibility in the justice system.