In a significant crackdown on corruption at the grassroots level, a revenue officer in Bihar's Sheohar district was apprehended while allegedly accepting a bribe. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of graft in land administration processes.
SVU Springs into Action After Complaint
The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) of Bihar swung into action after receiving a formal complaint on January 4. The complainant, Vinod Rai Chandravanshi, alleged that Ramkrit Mahto, a revenue officer posted in the Purnahiya block, had demanded a bribe to revise an incorrect land mutation entry. Following standard procedure, the SVU team first verified the authenticity of the claim before planning a trap to catch the official in the act.
The Trap and Arrest
A dedicated team led by DSP Sudhir Kumar and DSP Sanjay Kumar Verma was formed to execute the operation. The officers laid a meticulous trap and successfully caught Ramkrit Mahto red-handed while he was accepting the demanded bribe amount of Rs 10,000. The arrest was made on the spot, ensuring concrete evidence for the legal proceedings to follow.
Legal Proceedings Initiated
Following the successful operation, the accused revenue officer was taken into custody. Legal proceedings are now underway against Ramkrit Mahto in connection with the case. This action by the SVU sends a strong message against corruption, particularly in matters related to land records, which directly affect the common citizen. The case underscores the state's vigilance mechanism's role in tackling demands for illegal gratification by public servants.
