Patna’s anti-corruption drive intensified on Tuesday as the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau executed two high-profile arrests. In a swift operation, a survey amin from Supaul district’s Muraina block and a block supply officer from Samastipur’s Ujiyarpur were caught red-handed accepting bribes.
The first bust targeted Vikram Kumar Ram, a survey amin stationed in Muraina block, Supaul. Acting on a complaint from Jagnarayan Yadav of Khorma village, the bureau verified the allegations. Yadav had reported that Ram was demanding Rs 20,000 to expedite pending land survey work. Under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent Narendra Kumar, a trap team was formed. They raided Ram’s rented accommodation in Ward No. 1 of Nirmali Nagar Panchayat, seizing the bribe money as he accepted it.
In a parallel strike, the bureau’s team zeroed in on Rajesh Kumar Bhagat, the block supply officer in Ujiyarpur, Samastipur. Bhagat faced accusations of soliciting Rs 10,000 to increase food allocations under the public distribution system. After preliminary verification, officers trapped him at his residence, catching him in the act.
Both cases have been registered at the Vigilance police station. Interrogations are underway, with the accused slated for presentation in a special vigilance court soon. This year alone, the bureau has arrested 17 individuals in similar raids, recovering over Rs 7 lakh in bribe money. These successes underscore Bihar’s relentless campaign against graft in public administration.