Patna: The Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) arrested Mohammad Sanaullah Khan, assistant registrar at Maulana Mazharul Haq Arabic and Persian University, on Tuesday while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh at his office chamber on the university campus.
The arrest stems from a complaint filed by Ramanand Mahato, a resident of Badhopur under Rosera police station area in Samastipur district. Mahato alleged that after the results for courses KRC-402 and KRC-403 (conducted at centres in Samastipur district) were declared, the practical marks for students from these two centres were not uploaded. He alleged that the assistant registrar demanded a bribe for uploading the pending practical marks and publishing the complete result. He further alleged that Rs 5 lakh was demanded initially.
Following verification of the complaint, the VIB registered an FIR on April 17 at the Vigilance Police Station. An investigation team was constituted under the leadership of Shyam Babu Prasad, DSP, VIB, Patna. Acting on the complaint, the team laid a trap and caught the assistant registrar while he was accepting the bribe amount of Rs 2.5 lakh.
After his arrest, Khan alleged that the university vice-chancellor Alamgir demanded a bribe of Rs 2.5 lakh for KRC from a college in Samastipur. “An audio recording of the conversation exists. I was merely a conduit for the money,” he claimed. He was also to receive a percentage as commission. The surveillance team is currently investigating his other links. The DSP and the raiding team were conducting raids at various locations, based on the assistant registrar’s information.
In addition to the bribe money, documents and electronic gadgets were also recovered. After preliminary interrogation, the accused will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Patna.
Background of the Case
Ramanand Mahato, the complainant, had approached the VIB after the university failed to upload practical marks for students from two examination centres in Samastipur. The assistant registrar allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh initially, which was later negotiated to Rs 2.5 lakh. The VIB set a trap after verifying the complaint, leading to the arrest.
Accused’s Allegations
During interrogation, Khan claimed that the vice-chancellor Alamgir was involved in the bribery demand. He stated that an audio recording of the conversation between him and the vice-chancellor exists, which could corroborate his claim. The VIB is investigating these allegations and conducting raids at multiple locations.
Further developments are expected as the investigation progresses. The accused will be produced before the special court, and the VIB is likely to question the vice-chancellor based on the evidence provided.
