Patna: The Vigilance and Investigation Bureau (VIB) of Bihar has intensified efforts to crack down on corruption by initiating the process to seize properties of eight officials and public representatives accused of amassing illegal wealth. The total value of the assets targeted amounts to approximately ₹4.14 crore. Proposals for confiscation have been sent to the competent authorities and courts, and once approved, the government will formally take over the properties.
Officials Targeted
The eight individuals under scrutiny include two former village chiefs (Mukhiya), a former Superintending Engineer, a Judicial Magistrate, a Forest Range Officer, a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), a Tax Officer, and a Child Development Project Officer (CDPO). The cases against them date back to between 2012 and 2019.
Read also: Bihar to Launch 149 New Deluxe Buses Ahead of Holi, Boosting Interstate and Intrastate Travel
Cases and Asset Details
- Dilip Kumar, former Forest Range Officer in Lakhisarai, is facing a proposal for the seizure of assets worth over ₹88 lakh.
- Vijay Pratap Singh, former SDO of Hathua, Gopalganj, has properties worth more than ₹62 lakh targeted for confiscation. He also served as Assistant Collector and Secretary to the Commissioner in Darbhanga. He faced three corruption cases in 2015.
- Other officials include Phoolpari Devi, former CDPO of Patna Rural; Ajay Kumar Gupta, former Tax Officer in Motihari; and Pramod Kumar Rai, former Mukhiya of Jitwariya Gram Panchayat, Samastipur, whose combined assets exceed ₹61 lakh.
- Manager Yadav, former Mukhiya of Rajmarhia Pakdi Panchayat, Lauria, West Champaran, has a proposed seizure of ₹1.70 crore.
- Omprakash Manjhi, former Superintending Engineer in the Rural Works Department, has already been dismissed from government service.
- Rakesh Kumar Rai, former Judicial Magistrate in Darbhanga, has assets worth ₹41.12 lakh proposed for confiscation.
Current Status of Confiscation Efforts
So far, the Vigilance Bureau has recommended the state takeover of properties worth ₹96.76 crore in 119 cases. Of these, 66 cases (₹57 crore) are pending in competent authorities’ courts, 32 cases (₹20.80 crore) are under consideration in the High Court, two cases are filed as Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) in the Supreme Court, and two cases have been temporarily stalled due to appeals by the opposing party.
Assets Already Seized
To date, 11 cases have resulted in the successful seizure of properties totaling ₹6.03 crore. The Director-General of the Vigilance Bureau, Jitendra Singh Gangwar, stated that the bureau is steadily pursuing confiscation of illegally acquired assets, and the eight proposals sent to competent authorities in 2025 are expected to see final decisions soon.
Breakdown of Properties to Be Seized
- Manager Yadav, former Mukhiya, Lauria (West Champaran) – ₹80.04 lakh
- Pramod Kumar Rai, former Mukhiya, Jitwariya (Samastipur) – ₹3.71 lakh
- Omprakash Manjhi, former Superintending Engineer – ₹90.75 lakh
- Rakesh Kumar Rai, former Judicial Magistrate, Darbhanga – ₹41.12 lakh
- Dilip Kumar, former Forest Range Officer – ₹88.25 lakh
- Vijay Pratap Singh, former SDO, Gopalganj – ₹62.35 lakh
- Ajay Kumar Gupta, former Tax Officer, Motihari – ₹34.62 lakh
- Phoolpari Devi, former CDPO, Patna Rural – ₹12.76 lakh
The bureau continues to work rigorously to ensure that corrupt officials do not benefit from assets acquired through illegal means, sending a strong message about Bihar’s commitment to anti-corruption measures.
