Bihar Vigilance Bureau Arrests Official in Patna Bribery Sting Operation
The Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) of Bihar executed a significant arrest on Friday, apprehending Paramjay Singh, the assistant director of the state's youth employment and skill development department. Singh was taken into custody for allegedly accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 5 lakh. The arrest occurred in the parking lot of the Niyojan Bhavan building located in Patna, where Singh was caught red-handed by vigilance officials.
Details of the Bribery Allegations and Complaint
According to the formal complaint lodged by deputy director Omprakash, Singh had demanded a substantial bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a group of 26 industrial training institutes. This illicit demand was made in exchange for releasing government funds totaling Rs 1.70 crore, which were designated for office expenses and machine equipment. The investigation has uncovered that Singh exploited his position to extort money from these institutes, highlighting a serious breach of public trust.
Search Operation and Recovery of Evidence
Following the arrest, a specialized search team was promptly assembled under the leadership of vigilance DSP Vinod Kumar Pandey. This team conducted a thorough search at Singh's residence in Patna. The operation resulted in the recovery of approximately Rs 15 lakh in cash, along with several investment documents. These findings are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation, potentially revealing further financial irregularities.
Legal Proceedings and Case Registration
The VIB has officially registered a case against Paramjay Singh based on the evidence gathered. He is scheduled to be produced before the special vigilance court in Patna for further legal action. This step underscores the bureau's commitment to tackling corruption within government departments and ensuring accountability among public officials.
Singh's Counter-Allegations of Widespread Corruption
In a dramatic turn of events, after his arrest, Paramjay Singh made startling allegations of large-scale corruption within Niyojan Bhavan. He claimed that officials have been involved in inflating tender amounts from Rs 80 crore to a staggering Rs 500 crore, describing this as the biggest corruption case in the building's history. Singh asserted that his efforts to expose these malpractices made him a target, leading to a conspiracy against him.
"When I joined here in June 2025, the office employees felt that I was the one exposing them. Therefore, they, under a conspiracy, recorded my every statement, and Omprakash framed me today. I had also lodged complaints with the CMO, PMO and VIB against their corruption. The case of altering tender is the biggest corruption in Niyojan Bhavan till date," he alleged.
Singh further stated that he had previously filed complaints with the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), and the VIB regarding the corruption, but his arrest suggests a complex web of allegations and counter-allegations that will require thorough investigation.
