The Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) in Patna has reported an unprecedented year of action against corruption in 2025. In a span of just seven months, the bureau achieved a record number of arrests, case registrations, and convictions, marking a significant intensification of its anti-graft drive.
A Year of Unprecedented Vigilance Action
According to Director General J S Gangwar, the bureau's performance in 2025 shattered previous records. The VIB arrested 95 public servants, registered 27 First Information Reports (FIRs), and secured 16 convictions within this period. This aggressive stance led to the seizure of crores of rupees in cash, jewellery, and property documents, unearthing several high-profile scams that involved senior officials and even former legislators.
Gangwar provided a stark comparison to highlight the surge in activity. Over the past quarter-century, the vigilance wing registered an average of 72 to 73 FIRs per year. However, in 2025, this annual average skyrocketed to 122 FIRs. A particularly remarkable day was December 30, which saw 20 FIRs registered in a single day – the highest ever for the bureau. Calculated across the working year, this translates to roughly one FIR being filed every second working day.
Surge in Trap and Disproportionate Assets Cases
Delving into the nature of the cases, the DG noted that trap cases formed the bulk of the bureau's focus. Out of the total cases registered this year, 101 FIRs were related to trap cases. In these operations, 107 corrupt officials were caught red-handed, which included seven female officers and six intermediaries or middlemen. The bribe money seized in these stings amounted to Rs 37.80 lakh. This is a dramatic increase from 2024, which saw only eight such trap cases.
"If we examine the year-wise average of trap cases registered over the last 25 years, it stands at 47 FIRs. In 2025, we have more than doubled that figure with 101 cases. On average, we took eight to nine such actions every month," Gangwar explained.
The action extended to disproportionate assets (DA) cases as well. While only two FIRs were filed in 2024, the year 2025 saw cases registered against 15 corrupt public servants for amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income. These investigations led to the attachment of illegal property valued at a staggering Rs 12.77 crore.
Future Plans and Contextual Analysis
Looking ahead, Gangwar announced plans for infrastructural modernization to bolster the bureau's capabilities. In 2026, a new building equipped with the latest technologies and modern investigation resources will be constructed for the Vigilance Investigation Bureau.
The data presented underscores a seismic shift in the bureau's operational tempo. The year 2024, with only 15 FIRs registered, serves as a baseline. In comparison, 2025 witnessed action on nearly eight times more cases. This record-setting performance by the Patna VIB signals a robust and determined crackdown on corruption within the state's public machinery, aiming to set a new standard for accountability and governance.
