The Bihar government has launched a vigorous anti-corruption initiative, as the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) recently conducted raids targeting a government official accused of amassing assets beyond his known income sources. Chandramohan Paswan, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kewati block in Darbhanga, was the focus of simultaneous raids at six locations. Investigations suggest that Paswan’s assets were about 81.03% higher than his reported earnings, totaling around Rs 89.13 lakh in disproportionate assets.
Following these findings, the EOU initiated legal action against Paswan under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The raids, authorized by search warrants from the Special Vigilance Court in Muzaffarpur, covered various properties including residential and commercial sites in Darbhanga and Madhubani. The EOU confirmed that the probe is ongoing, with a thorough examination of financial documents currently underway.
In a similar operation earlier this month, the EOU targeted Gopal Kumar, an Executive Engineer in the Rural Works Division in Jhajha block of Jamui district. Kumar faced allegations of possessing assets valued at nearly Rs 2.006 crore, significantly exceeding his known income by 81.5%. Subsequent to the searches, an FIR was lodged under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with scrutiny extending to properties in Patna, Jamui, and Jhajha. The investigative teams pored over bank accounts, investments, property deeds, and other assets for evidence.
These crackdowns are seen as part of the Bihar government’s broader efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in governance, led by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.
