In Nalanda district, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) has apprehended Anushka Kumari, a Block Panchayati Raj Officer (BPRO) in Nagarnausa block, for allegedly accepting a bribe. The arrest was made during a trap operation while she was on duty. This district holds political importance as it is the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home constituency.
Following a complaint by a resident of Khapura village, Ajay Kumar, accusing Anushka Kumari of soliciting a bribe, the vigilance bureau took action. The complaint alleged that the bribe was demanded to facilitate a project involving the construction of steps at a Chhath ghat and to hasten the associated paperwork.
The vigilance bureau, after verifying the complaint, set up a special team and orchestrated a trap operation. An ordinary citizen was sent to the official’s office with the bribe money, while vigilance personnel disguised as regular visitors were strategically positioned inside. Upon Anushka Kumari accepting Rs 12,000 from the complainant, the team swiftly intervened and apprehended her.
This incident marks the second significant vigilance operation in the district within a week. Previously, on March 16, the department arrested Manoj Kumar Verma, a teacher at the Block Resource Centre in Chandi block, for allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs 17,000. The case originated from a female teacher’s complaint regarding the withholding of her salary despite a court order. Verma, in collusion with Block Education Officer Pushpa Kumari, was accused of demanding money to release the pending payment.
A case has also been filed against the Block Education Officer, and an investigation is currently underway. The state government’s stringent anti-corruption stance is evident through these actions, signaling a zero-tolerance policy towards corrupt practices. More such crackdowns are anticipated in the near future.
