EOU raids Bihar BDO's properties in disproportionate assets case
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar on Wednesday conducted simultaneous raids at six locations linked to Chandramohan Paswan, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kewati block in Darbhanga, in a disproportionate assets case. According to preliminary investigations, Paswan allegedly accumulated assets approximately 81.03 per cent higher than his known income, with the disproportionate assets estimated at around ₹89.13 lakh.
How the Raids Were Executed
The EOU obtained search warrants from the Special Vigilance Court, Muzaffarpur, on Tuesday before launching the operations. Search teams fanned out across residential and commercial properties in the Bahadurpur locality, Darbhanga, an ancestral home and commercial premises in Babubarhi block, Madhubani, and the official office and residence in Kewati block of Darbhanga district.
Following verification of the findings, the EOU registered a case against Paswan under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The unit stated that investigations are ongoing and several financial records remain under scrutiny.
The Earlier Action: Executive Engineer in Jamui
This is not an isolated action. On 15 May, the EOU raided premises linked to Gopal Kumar, an Executive Engineer posted in the Rural Works Division in Jhajha block, Jamui district. Preliminary findings revealed alleged disproportionate assets worth nearly ₹2.006 crore — around 81.5 per cent higher than his known income.
An FIR was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act after searches at multiple properties in Patna's Kankarbagh locality, Jamui, and the Rural Works Division office in Jhajha. EOU teams examined bank account details, investment records, land and property documents, and jewellery and other movable and immovable assets. Officials believe the searches may uncover additional financial transaction records and important documentary evidence.
Bihar's Broader Anti-Corruption Drive
The raids are being viewed as part of the Bihar government's broader push to strengthen transparency and accountability in administration, reportedly under the leadership of Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. Notably, both cases flagged a strikingly similar ratio of disproportionate assets — over 81 per cent above known income — suggesting a pattern the EOU may be targeting systematically across government departments.
This comes amid growing public scrutiny of mid-level government officials in Bihar whose lifestyles and asset portfolios have drawn attention from vigilance authorities. With financial records still under examination in both cases, further disclosures are expected as investigations progress.