Patna: In a major anti-corruption drive, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) of Bihar on Saturday arrested Anil Kumar Mandal, General Manager of the Industries Department in Araria district, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.
According to Vigilance DSP Satish Chandra Madhav, the action followed a complaint filed by machinery supplier Kamre Alam, who alleged that the General Manager was demanding a commission for processing payments and completing official formalities related to machinery supplied to beneficiaries.
The complainant stated that machinery worth approximately Rs 17 lakh had been supplied and that the General Manager allegedly demanded a 5 per cent commission, amounting to Rs 85,000.
After receiving the complaint, Vigilance officials conducted a preliminary verification.
The allegations were reportedly substantiated during the verification process, following which a trap operation was planned under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A team led by DSP Satish Chandra Madhav subsequently conducted a raid at Anil Kumar Mandal’s rented accommodation in Araria.
During the operation, the officer was allegedly caught accepting Rs 50,000. The Vigilance team recovered the bribe amount and arrested him on the spot.
Following the arrest, the accused officer was taken into custody and is being questioned by Vigilance officials. He will be produced in the special court of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau in Patna.
Further legal proceedings are underway.
The agency is also examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe demand and investigating whether any other officials or individuals were involved in the transaction.
The arrest of a senior Industries Department official has caused a stir in administrative circles in Araria, coming amid an intensified crackdown by the Vigilance Department against corruption and bribery in Bihar.
Earlier, on August 5, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) arrested Panchayat Secretary Shankar Prasad red-handed while allegedly accepting a Rs 15,000 bribe in connection with payment under the Nal-Jal (Tap-Water) scheme in Maldahiya Panchayat of Narkatiaganj block in West Champaran district.
(IANS)
