Advocate Suman Kumari, Legal Correspondent, 16th September 2026, Patna/Lakhisarai: The Vigilance Investigation Bureau’s crackdown on corruption continues across Bihar. On Tuesday, the Vigilance Bureau took major action in two corruption-related cases. On one hand, the Special Court for Vigilance in Patna convicted a former Revenue Employee in an approximately 11-year-old bribery case and sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment. On the other hand, a Block Panchayati Raj Officer (BPRO) posted in Lakhisarai was arrested red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹28,000.
Former Revenue Employee Sentenced to 4 Years for Accepting ₹9,000 Bribe
The Judge of the Special Court for Vigilance, Patna, Atul Kumar Singh, sentenced Amarendra Kumar Sinha, the then Revenue Employee of Phulwarisharif, after finding him guilty under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case dates back to 2015. The complainant, Arun Kumar, a resident of Simraha under Parsa Bazar Police Station, had applied for land mutation. It was alleged that the then Revenue Employee demanded a bribe of ₹10,000 for completing the mutation process. The amount was subsequently settled at ₹9,000.
Following the complainant’s allegation, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau took action. On 23 January 2015, the Vigilance team caught Amarendra Kumar Sinha red-handed while accepting ₹9,000 as a bribe.
The court awarded three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹9,000 under Section 7, and four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹9,000 under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. In case of non-payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional three months of simple imprisonment. Both sentences will run concurrently.
Special Public Prosecutor (In-charge, Trap Cases) Kishore Kumar Singh effectively represented the Vigilance Bureau in the case. The prosecution examined a total of nine witnesses. The then Investigating Officer was Police Inspector Ishwar Prasad.
BPRO Arrested in Lakhisarai While Accepting ₹28,000 Bribe
In another major action, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau’s headquarters team arrested Brajesh Kumar, the Block Panchayati Raj Officer (BPRO) posted at Halsi Block in Lakhisarai district and holding additional charge of Chanan, while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹28,000.
According to the complaint, the complainant, Ram Narayan Saw, a resident of Ithari under Kiul Police Station, alleged that the officer was demanding a bribe for filling the Measurement Book (MB Book) required for payment for a drain construction work carried out under Gram Panchayat Raj Mahesh Leta.
After verification of the complaint found the allegation to be true, a trap team was constituted under the leadership of DSP Ranjit Kumar Nirala. The team subsequently caught BPRO Brajesh Kumar red-handed while accepting ₹28,000 at his office room in Chanan.
Following his arrest, the accused officer is being questioned. He will subsequently be produced before the Special Court for Vigilance, Bhagalpur.
Vigilance Bureau’s Record Performance in 2026
According to Vigilance Department figures, courts have so far awarded convictions in 21 corruption cases in 2026.
Of the 108 FIRs registered this year, 100 are related to trap cases involving officials or employees being caught red-handed while accepting bribes. So far, 101 accused persons have been arrested in these cases.
The Vigilance Bureau has recovered more than ₹36.94 lakh in bribe money so far. In addition, a washing machine valued at ₹37,000 has also been recovered.
The continuing action by the Vigilance Investigation Bureau indicates that the crackdown on government officials and employees demanding bribes in exchange for official work has been intensified.
