Verma had reportedly said, “Reservation should be given to only one person in a family until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or has a relationship with her.”

Though Verma had apologized two days later, claiming that his speech was wrongly reported in the media and also circulated in a distorted manner on social media, he has been facing massive protests, particularly from upper caste and Hindu outfits across the state since then.

Many upper caste outfits have submitted complaints in multiple districts, including Gwalior and Singrauli, demanding an FIR against him.

Leaders of both the ruling BJP and Congress too have demanded stern action against Verma for his objectionable remark.

The Mantralay Officers-Employees Union, led by president Sudhir Nayak, submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, demanding strict action against the IAS officer.

Verma has had a controversial past. In 2021, he was in the news for allegedly forging court orders and faking the signature of a judge to falsely claim relief in cases filed against him. He was arrested in Indore after the judge complained that Verma forged two court documents related to a case of alleged criminal intimidation of a woman.

Verma has also faced accusations in two exploitation cases, where women alleged that he promised marriage and later threatened or deceived them.