Bihar headmaster arrested in Patna for ₹50,000 bribe over marksheets
Synopsis
A Bihar government school headmaster was caught red-handed accepting ₹50,000 in a vigilance sting — allegedly for issuing marksheets that 152 students were entitled to receive for free. The case exposes a localised but corrosive pattern of extortion at the last mile of public education delivery.
Key Takeaways
Kunal Priyadarshi , headmaster of Upgraded Higher Secondary School, Chainpur, Sampatchak , was arrested on 30 June by the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) .
He was allegedly caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹50,000 inside his office.
The accused allegedly demanded ₹400 per student to issue marksheets and College Leaving Certificates to 152 board exam passers.
The trap operation was conducted under Vigilance DSP Vindhyachal Prasad following a complaint by Arun Kumar Singh of Gaurichak, Patna.
An FIR has been registered at the Vigilance Police Station; the accused is to be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Patna .
The Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) on Tuesday, 30 June arrested the headmaster of a government school in Patna district after allegedly catching him red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹50,000 inside his office. The accused, Kunal Priyadarshi, headmaster of the Upgraded Higher Secondary School in Chainpur, Sampatchak, was taken into custody following a sting operation conducted under the state's ongoing anti-corruption drive.
How the Complaint Was Filed
Arun Kumar Singh, a resident of Gaurichak in Patna, filed the original complaint with the Vigilance Department. He alleged that Priyadarshi was demanding ₹400 per student to issue marksheets and College Leaving Certificates (CLC) to 152 students who had cleared the annual secondary board examination — documents students are ordinarily entitled to receive free of charge through the prescribed administrative process.
How the Trap Was Laid
Based on the complaint, the Vigilance Department initiated a preliminary inquiry, which reportedly found prima facie support for the allegations. A trap team was subsequently constituted under the supervision of Vigilance DSP Vindhyachal Prasad. The team allegedly caught Priyadarshi accepting the bribe of ₹50,000 inside his office, after which he was taken into custody and questioned by vigilance officials.
Legal Proceedings
Following the interrogation, an FIR has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions at the Vigilance Police Station in Patna. Priyadarshi is expected to be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Patna for further legal proceedings. The case will proceed through the judicial process, according to officials.
Broader Implications for Bihar's Education Sector
The arrest has drawn attention within Patna district's education department, as it involves allegations of demanding money for documents that students have a legal right to receive. This comes amid Bihar's sustained push to crack down on corruption among public servants. The VIB has reiterated its commitment to acting against officials found involved in alleged bribery and has urged citizens to report instances of misconduct. Notably, the accused's demand — if proven — would have collectively extracted over ₹60,000 from the families of 152 students for certificates they were entitled to without payment.
Point of View
Hitting the most vulnerable families at the moment they need institutional support most. Bihar's vigilance machinery deserves credit for acting on a citizen complaint, but one trap operation does not reveal how widespread this practice is across the state's government school network. The real accountability question is systemic: if a headmaster can demand ₹400 per student from 152 families without early internal detection, the oversight framework within the education department has already failed. The Special Vigilance Court outcome will be the true test of deterrence.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau in Patna?
Kunal Priyadarshi, headmaster of the Upgraded Higher Secondary School in Chainpur, Sampatchak, Patna district, was arrested on 30 June. He was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of ₹50,000 inside his office by a VIB trap team.
Why was the headmaster allegedly demanding money from students?
According to the Vigilance Department, Priyadarshi allegedly demanded ₹400 per student to issue marksheets and College Leaving Certificates to 152 students who had passed the annual secondary board examination — documents they were entitled to receive without payment.
How was the trap operation conducted?
A complaint filed by Arun Kumar Singh of Gaurichak, Patna, triggered a preliminary inquiry that found prima facie support for the allegations. Vigilance DSP Vindhyachal Prasad then led a trap team that allegedly caught the headmaster accepting ₹50,000 in his office.
What legal action has been taken against the accused?
An FIR has been registered against Kunal Priyadarshi at the Vigilance Police Station in Patna under relevant provisions. He is expected to be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Patna for further proceedings.
What is Bihar's Vigilance Investigation Bureau?
The Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) is the state's dedicated anti-corruption agency responsible for investigating and acting against public servants accused of bribery and misconduct. It operates special trap teams and registers cases before the Special Vigilance Court.
