In a disturbing case reported from Bhopal, a 99-year-old former Director General of Police (DGP) of Madhya Pradesh, HM Joshi, was allegedly assaulted by his caretaker in an extortion attempt. The incident occurred on the afternoon of April 9 at Joshi’s residence under the jurisdiction of Habibganj police station.
The accused, identified as Rafiq Khan, was employed through an agency and had been working as Joshi’s caretaker, drawing a monthly salary of approximately Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000. In a written complaint lodged with the Habibganj police, the nonagenarian officer claimed that Khan attempted to strangle him during an extortion bid, threatening his life to force him into giving money.
The situation took a dramatic turn when the household cook, Geeta, arrived unexpectedly, prompting Khan to flee the scene before further harm could be inflicted. The incident took place during a time when other family members were away at work and domestic staff were in the servants’ quarters—circumstances that Khan seemingly tried to exploit.
HM Joshi, a 1948-batch IPS officer who served as Madhya Pradesh’s top cop in the 1980s, currently lives with his younger son, Rajiv Joshi. Despite his advanced age and frail health, Joshi acted swiftly to report the crime. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of elderly individuals, particularly those reliant on domestic care.
Joshi’s family has long been in public focus. His late son, Arvind Joshi, was a former IAS officer, and his daughter-in-law, Tinu Joshi, was dismissed from service following her arrest in a high-profile corruption case.
Confirming the development, SHO of Habibganj police station, Sanjeev Chaukse, said that a formal investigation has been initiated based on Joshi’s complaint. Rafiq Khan will be summoned for questioning soon, and further legal action will follow based on the outcome of the inquiry.
The case has raised serious concerns regarding the vetting and monitoring of domestic help employed through private agencies, especially in households with elderly or vulnerable residents.
