Patna, Sep 11 (IANS): A team of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) conducted a raid at Jal Bhawan in Patna on Friday, creating a stir among officials and employees of the Minor Water Resources Department.
The vigilance team conducted a sudden inspection of the department’s office as part of an investigation into a disproportionate assets case.
According to an official, the action is linked to a case registered against Rajendra Kumar, Superintending Engineer, who is currently posted in the Chhapra zone of the Minor Water Resources Department and is also holding the additional charge of monitoring.
Rajendra Prasad, a Superintending Engineer in the Minor Water Resources Department, is accused of amassing assets exceeding his known sources of income by more than 100 per cent.
The raids were conducted in connection with these allegations.
The operation caused a stir in the affected areas; initially, people were confused, but they gradually realised who was conducting the raids and why.
Meanwhile, the search operation was still underway at the time of writing this report, and detailed information regarding the matter is expected later tonight.
As part of the investigation, the vigilance team began searches at premises connected with the officer.
Officials reportedly said Kumar had purchased around 75 decimals of land in Panvel, Mumbai, with the current estimated value of the property put at approximately Rs 1.75 crore.
Apart from Jal Bhawan in Patna, SVU teams are reportedly conducting searches at four other locations across Bihar in connection with the case.
During the searches, the vigilance team is examining documents, property-related records and details of financial transactions to establish the extent of the alleged disproportionate assets.
The sudden raid has led to heightened activity within the Minor Water Resources Department, as officials and employees await further details from the ongoing vigilance investigation.
The Bihar Vigilance Bureau keeps a close watch on government officials, particularly their income from both known and suspected undisclosed sources.
The bureau regularly conducts raids and investigations against officials suspected of corruption and possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
