Patna, June 16 (IANS) In a major anti-corruption operation, Bihar’s Vigilance Investigation Bureau, on Tuesday arrested a data entry operator red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 at the Circle Office in Bettiah in West Champaran district.

The operation triggered commotion inside the government office and remained a major topic of discussion among employees throughout the day.

According to an official, the accused had allegedly demanded Rs 15,000 in connection with the reactivation of a dormant Jamabandi (land record) linked to Baleshwar Mahto, a resident of Barwat Prasaren under the Mufassil police station area in the district.

Disturbed by the alleged demand for a bribe, the complainant approached the vigilance authorities and filed a formal complaint.

The investigation was assigned to Investigating Officer Rahul Kumar, who verified the allegations during a preliminary inquiry.

After the complaint was found to be genuine, the vigilance team planned a trap operation to catch the accused while accepting the money.

Officials said that on Tuesday, as soon as the complainant handed over the Rs 15,000 to the accused inside the Circle Office premises, the vigilance team immediately moved in and arrested him on the spot.

Following the arrest, the vigilance team also scrutinised documents available inside the office.

The sudden raid created panic and confusion within the Circle Office premises.

The operation was led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police rank officer Shyam Babu Prasad Srivastava.

Other government officials involved in the raid included Devilal Srivastava, Ashish Chaubey, Digvijay Singh, Krishna Jeevan Kumar Srivastava, Rahul Kumar, Krishna Singh, Wasim Ahmed, and Himanshu Singh, along with armed police personnel.

According to Vigilance officials, the accused is the son of Pramod Mishra and belongs to Pakdahar village under the Chanpatia police station area.

Authorities said that after questioning and legal formalities, the accused will be produced before the Vigilance Court.

The action is being viewed as a significant crackdown on corruption in government offices and has once again sparked debate over transparency and accountability in public administration in Bihar.

–IANS

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