Bihar EOU Interrogates DRDA Director in Disproportionate Assets Case
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar police conducted a significant interrogation on Wednesday, questioning Vaibhav Kumar, the director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in Saharsa. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into a case involving the accumulation of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Interrogation Details and Cooperation
A five-member EOU team interrogated Kumar for over an hour at their office in Patna. Initially summoned on Tuesday, Kumar did not appear, prompting the agency to issue a fresh summons. He subsequently reached Patna on Wednesday for the questioning session.
EOU DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon provided insights into the interrogation, stating that it lasted approximately four hours. Kumar cooperated on certain issues but refrained from answering others. He requested additional time to respond properly with supporting documents. In response, the EOU has granted him this time and called him again for further interrogation on Tuesday, April 14.
Recoveries and Asset Investigation
On the recoveries made during recent raids, Dhillon elaborated that the team is meticulously examining all documents and details. The final list of disproportionate assets is expected to be prepared within a month. The ill-gotten money was allegedly acquired during Kumar's postings in various districts, including his tenure as a Block Development Officer (BDO). The funds are believed to have been earned through corrupt practices, particularly in the management of tenders.
The initial FIR mentioned disproportionate assets worth Rs 2.41 crore, with around 70% originating from unverified sources of income. However, following the raids, the exact amount is still under calculation and is likely to increase as the investigation progresses.
Raids and Property Seizures
On March 31, the EOU executed simultaneous raids at six locations associated with Kumar in Saharsa and Muzaffarpur. During these searches, officials recovered crucial documents related to 16 properties. These include valuable commercial and residential land plots in Patna and Muzaffarpur, purchased since 2016. Notably, many of these properties were registered in the names of his wife, son, and father, raising further questions about the source of funds.
The investigation highlights the EOU's ongoing efforts to combat corruption and financial misconduct in Bihar. As the case unfolds, more details are anticipated to emerge regarding the extent of the assets and the methods used to acquire them.
