In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) of Bihar apprehended a government official red-handed while accepting a bribe. The arrest took place on Tuesday at the Ara sadar block office in Bhojpur district, sending a strong message against graft at the grassroots level.
The Trap and Arrest
Acting on a formal complaint, a team from the SVU laid a trap for Jeetendra Prasad, the panchayat secretary of Daulatpur panchayat. The complainant, Navin Kumar Singh, a resident of Pipra in Motihari, had alleged that Prasad was demanding illegal gratification to issue a birth certificate. DSP Chandra Bhushan of the Special Vigilance Unit in Patna confirmed the details to reporters in Ara.
The official was caught accepting the marked currency notes amounting to Rs 10,000. According to the vigilance department, this was not the initial demand. The panchayat secretary had first asked for Rs 20,000 from the complainant but later negotiated the bribe amount down to Rs 10,000 for issuing the document.
A Four-Month Ordeal for a Simple Document
The case highlights the harassment faced by common citizens in accessing basic administrative services. The birth certificate was required for the mother-in-law of Navin Kumar Singh's married daughter, a resident of Dariyapur village in Bhojpur district. The family had been struggling to get the certificate issued for over four months, facing bureaucratic delays until the demand for a bribe was explicitly made.
Frustrated by the corrupt demand, Singh approached the vigilance department and lodged a formal complaint on Thursday, prior to the Tuesday arrest. The swift action by the SVU team demonstrates the department's commitment to acting on such complaints.
Official Background and Zero-Tolerance Stance
The arrested panchayat secretary, Jeetendra Prasad, is a native of Sheikhpura district. His arrest under the Prevention of Corruption Act underscores the state's stated zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, especially in schemes and services meant for the public.
This incident in Ara is part of a broader vigilance campaign in Bihar targeting corrupt officials who exploit their position for personal gain. The SVU has encouraged citizens to report any such demands, assuring action against the culprits.
The successful trap and arrest are expected to serve as a deterrent to other government employees involved in similar malpractices, reinforcing that such acts will lead to serious legal consequences and public disgrace.
