Hazaribag: In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the ₹3.75-acre Khasmahal land scam in Hazaribag, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court of Judge Asha Devi Bhatt has rejected the bail plea of senior IAS officer Vinay Kumar Choubey, who served as Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribag during the alleged irregularities.
Choubey, currently lodged at Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, has been accused of illegally converting trust land into government land and subsequently facilitating its sale for private gains.
Background of the Case
The scam pertains to a 3.75-acre plot of land belonging to the Hirabag Trust Board. During his tenure as Deputy Commissioner, Choubey allegedly converted the trust property into government land through forged or unauthorized means. This land was later allegedly diverted and sold illegally for private purposes.
The First Information Report (FIR) against Choubey was filed in August 2025, following a preliminary inquiry by the ACB.
Read also: Hazaribag Land Scam: IAS Officer Vinay Chaubey Officially Declared Accused by Anti-Corruption Bureau
Court Proceedings
During the bail hearing on Friday (September 13, 2025), defense counsel Shankar Banerjee argued for the IAS officer’s release, while Special Public Prosecutor Abhishek Krishna Gupta appeared on behalf of the ACB, strongly opposing the plea.
After hearing both sides, the court reserved its verdict, which was delivered on Tuesday. The bail was formally rejected, keeping Choubey in judicial custody as the investigation continues.
High-Profile Arrest Shakes Bureaucracy
Vinay Kumar Choubey is a senior IAS officer, and his arrest has sent shockwaves through the bureaucratic circles of Jharkhand. He is among the few top-ranking officers in recent times to be jailed over corruption charges related to land irregularities.
His alleged involvement in the illegal diversion of trust land has reignited debates over land governance, bureaucratic accountability, and the misuse of discretionary powers by officials in charge of district-level administration.
What’s Next?
With the bail plea denied, Choubey will remain in jail as the ACB continues its investigation into the scam. More revelations are expected, and additional arrests have not been ruled out, according to sources close to the probe.
Read also: Suspended IAS Vinay Kumar Choubey Gets Bail in Liquor Scam Case, Remains in Jail Over Land Probe
