‘Sanitation issues’ during Governor’s stay: Indore cancels housekeeping tender at historic Residency Kothi

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2 min readBhopalFeb 20, 2026 07:10 AM IST

Alleged sanitation issues and misbehaviour by staff during Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel’s stay at Residency Kothi in Indore have led the district administration to cancel the tender of the entity responsible for housekeeping and upkeep in the historic structure.

The action was taken after the Governor’s House lodged a complaint with the district administration over poor cleanliness and the conduct of staff during the Governor’s visit on February 16. Governor Patel was in Indore to attend the convocation ceremony at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya and stayed at Residency Kothi along with his staff.

Officials said the arrangements at the Residency Kothi were found to be inadequate. Despite complaints regarding alleged unhygienic conditions in the Governor’s room, no corrective action was taken by the housekeeping staff, sources said, adding that cleanliness in the kitchen area was also “reported to be substandard”.

Following the complaint, Indore Collector Shivam Verma took cognisance of the matter and ordered action against the agency entrusted with housekeeping and allied services. The agency’s tender was subsequently cancelled.

Additional District Magistrate Roshan Rai said the agency’s “behaviour towards the Governor’s House staff was inappropriate and unacceptable, which led to the decision”. However, he termed claims related to extreme filth and the Governor refusing food as incorrect. Rai added that arrangements at Residency Kothi would now be monitored directly by the district administration to prevent such lapses in the future.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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