Saharsa Mayor and Associates Face FIR Over Alleged Financial Misuse
In a significant development, the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) in Patna has issued a directive for the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Saharsa mayor Bain Priya, her private secretary Rajiv Kumar, and his wife. The action stems from serious allegations of financial irregularities and misuse of public funds, with suspicions of siphoning approximately Rs 50 lakh per month under the guise of street-lighting and decorative-lighting maintenance.
Complaint and Inquiry Committee Findings
The case originated from a complaint filed by Rahul Kumar Paswan, a resident of Kosi Colony, who accused the trio of diverting funds intended for civic works. Acting on this complaint, District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar established a three-tier inquiry committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. The committee's report, which has now been made public, reportedly highlighted suspicious involvement of the mayor, her aide, and his wife in the alleged misuse of government funds.
Based on these findings, the UDHD on Wednesday instructed the Saharsa municipal commissioner to lodge an FIR against the three individuals within three days and submit a compliance report. This swift action underscores the department's commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring accountability in public office.
Details of Alleged Financial Irregularities
According to the department's investigation, contracts for street-lighting maintenance were executed through two firms: Aim of People and Narishakti Infratech & Development Pvt. Ltd. Both companies were registered in the name of the private secretary's wife, raising immediate red flags. Payments amounting to lakhs of rupees were allegedly released monthly from government funds without proper verification of work quality, identification of defects, or confirmation of actual execution. This lack of oversight points to a deliberate and systematic misuse of public money.
Further investigations uncovered evidence of large-scale unauthorized fund transfers between the two entities, with amounts running into crores of rupees. This discovery has fueled suspicions of a coordinated mechanism designed to divert public funds illicitly, highlighting potential deep-seated corruption within the municipal framework.
Accountability and Disciplinary Measures
The UDHD has emphasized strict accountability in this case. In its directive, the department instructed that if any government official or municipal corporation employee is found complicit during the ongoing investigation, a detailed proposal for disciplinary action must be submitted to the department headquarters within a week. This move aims to ensure that all involved parties are held responsible and that such malpractices are curtailed in the future.
The case has drawn significant attention in Patna, reflecting broader concerns about governance and financial transparency in urban development projects. As the FIR process unfolds, further details are expected to emerge, potentially leading to more stringent actions against those involved.
