In a significant anti-corruption operation in Jamui, Bihar, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) apprehended a clerk at the Sono Primary Health Centre for accepting a bribe of Rs 37,000. The clerk, identified as Rupesh Kumar, allegedly demanded money from an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) to clear her pending salary arrears. The ANM, named Rajnandini, claimed she had not received salary arrears for almost 11 months.
The complaint alleged that Rupesh Kumar asked for an amount equal to one month’s salary as a bribe to process and release the pending payment. Rajnandini mentioned that these demands for illegal payments had been ongoing since February 2025. Following a preliminary verification of the complaint, the Vigilance Department found it to be legitimate and proceeded to register an FIR and set up a trap operation.
Rupesh Kumar was caught red-handed by the Vigilance team while accepting Rs 37,000 in cash from the complainant. The ANM expressed that the delayed salary payments had put her in severe financial distress, leading her to mortgage her land to pay the bribe. She lodged a formal complaint with the Vigilance Department on March 23, prompting an investigation to begin.
Allegations were made by Rajnandini that corrupt activities were openly taking place at the health center, with the knowledge of the PHC in charge, identified as Shashi Bhushan. She also claimed that several female employees had been coerced into paying bribes of approximately Rs 6,000 each in the past but refrained from reporting due to fear and pressure. Pawan Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police with the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, confirmed the arrest, stating that the allegations were verified before the arrest was made. An FIR was filed based on the complaint from the ANM, Rajnandini, and the case’s validity was confirmed through investigation. Further inquiries into the case are ongoing.
