Patna: Bihar’s anti-corruption campaign gathered momentum on Wednesday after the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) arrested a Panchayat Secretary while allegedly accepting a ₹15,000 bribe in West Champaran district. The official was caught during a trap operation after a complaint claimed he had demanded money to release pending payments under the Nal-Jal Yojana.
The arrest adds to the growing number of vigilance operations carried out across the state in 2026, reflecting the government’s continued focus on tackling corruption in public offices.
Official Caught During Trap Operation
The accused, Shankar Prasad, was serving as Panchayat Secretary in Dumaria Panchayat under Narkatiaganj block. According to the Vigilance Department, he allegedly demanded ₹15,000 from a contractor to clear the remaining payment for repair work executed under the Nal-Jal Yojana.
The operation was conducted during a public assistance camp at Maldahiya Madrasa in West Champaran, where the official was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.
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Complaint Led to Verification
The case began after Parvez Kausar, a resident of Maldahiya village under Shikarpur police station, lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Investigation Bureau. He alleged that the Panchayat Secretary had demanded illegal gratification for releasing the pending payment.
After verifying the complaint and finding the allegations to be genuine, the Bureau formed a trap team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Kripal Chandra Jaiswal. The team successfully carried out the operation and arrested the official on the spot.
Investigation Continues
The accused will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Muzaffarpur after interrogation. Officials said further investigation is underway to examine all aspects of the case.
The Vigilance Department reiterated that complaints of corruption are thoroughly verified before any trap operation is carried out.
Bihar’s Anti-Corruption Drive in Numbers
The latest arrest highlights the scale of vigilance operations undertaken in Bihar this year.
- 92 corruption-related FIRs registered in 2026
- 85 trap cases conducted so far
- 87 accused arrested while accepting bribes
- ₹31.66 lakh recovered as bribe money in 2026
For comparison, the Bureau had conducted 101 trap cases in 2025 and recovered ₹37.80 lakh in bribe money.
Why It Matters
The latest action underlines Bihar’s ongoing efforts to improve accountability in public administration. Vigilance trap cases not only target corrupt officials but also aim to strengthen public confidence in government service delivery. Officials say continued enforcement and prompt action against complaints are essential for ensuring transparency in welfare schemes and public works.
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