Why Did EOU Raid Bihar Executive Engineer Pramod Kumar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- EOU raids highlight anti-corruption efforts in Bihar.
- Pramod Kumar faces serious allegations of disproportionate assets.
- Government officials are mandated to declare their assets annually.
- Ongoing investigations may uncover other accomplices.
- Bihar's commitment to zero-tolerance on corruption remains firm.
Patna, July 10 (NationPress) The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) executed coordinated raids at several locations associated with Pramod Kumar, an Executive Engineer at the Bihar State Educational Infrastructure Development Corporation (BSEIDC), as part of an investigation into a disproportionate assets case, officials reported.
Operations are currently in progress at his residences in Patna, Saharsa, and Sitamarhi.
Two teams from the EOU are actively searching different sites in Patna, while three teams are conducting operations in Saharsa. Additionally, one team is working in Sitamarhi.
Kumar faces allegations under Section 13(2) in conjunction with Section 13(1)(B) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018). An FIR was lodged on July 9 after the EOU verified credible leads.
Initial investigations indicate that Kumar has purportedly accumulated assets exceeding 300 percent of his known income sources. Surveillance agencies monitored his financial transactions for several months, leading to this decisive action.
A search warrant from a special court in Patna facilitated the EOU's coordinated operations across three districts on Thursday morning.
The agency is also examining potential collaborators and the methods used to secure this disproportionate wealth.
The Nitish Kumar administration has reaffirmed its commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, particularly within state departments. All government officials, including ministers and legislators, must publicly declare their assets and income sources each year.
As Bihar’s primary anti-corruption body, the EOU maintains vigilant oversight of public officials suspected of unlawful wealth accumulation. Officials stated that further information will be provided after the raids conclude later today.
“More detailed information will be shared post-completion of the raids in the evening,” an EOU official confirmed.