The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police conducted simultaneous raids on Saturday at multiple premises linked to Gopal Kumar, an executive engineer with the rural works department in Jhajha, Jamui district. The action followed allegations that Kumar had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Raids Conducted Across Multiple Locations
The searches were carried out at Kumar's flat in Jyotipuram at Magistrate Colony in Patna, his ancestral house in East Indira Nagar of Kankarbagh, a rented accommodation near KKM College in Jamui, and his office at Jhajha. Additionally, officials searched his in-laws' residence in Rajabazar under Section 185 of the CrPC.
Recovery of Cash, Jewellery, and Documents
During the searches, the EOU team recovered large quantities of cash, jewellery, property documents, and vehicles. From the Patna flat alone, they seized Rs 40 lakh in cash, gold jewellery weighing over 424 grams valued at around Rs 60 lakh, nearly 1 kg of silver jewellery, and invoices linked to jewellery purchases worth about Rs 47 lakh.
EOU DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon stated, “Documents pertaining to two commercial shops in a mall near Saguna More valued at about Rs 70 lakh, a residential plot of 1.25 kattha near Danapur Bazaar Samiti area where a G+3 building is under construction, records of Rs 93 lakh cash payment against a registered value of Rs 35 lakh, and Rs 80 lakh cash payment for a 4 BHK flat in Laxmi Cottage, Danapur, were also seized. Documents of other properties including in Kankarbagh have also been seized and are under scrutiny. An SUV and a scooter were recovered from the same location.”
Additional Seizures from Jamui
From the Jamui accommodation, officials recovered Rs 8 lakh in cash, an SUV purchased for Rs 19 lakh in the name of another person, and around Rs 10 lakh deposited in three bank accounts, which have since been frozen. Receipts linked to seven LIC policies with annual premiums of around Rs 3 lakh were also recovered.
“The searches conducted so far have revealed a significant increase in disproportionate assets. The search operation is ongoing,” Dhillon added.
Case Registered Under Anti-Corruption Provisions
The case was registered on Friday under anti-corruption provisions after verification reportedly revealed prima facie evidence that Kumar had accumulated assets worth around Rs 2 crore beyond his known income, nearly 81% higher than his legitimate earnings.
Officials also recovered several government files and documents related to the rural works department from his residence and informed the parent department. “The search operation is still ongoing, and further details will be shared as the investigation progresses,” officers said.
