Why Did the Special Vigilance Unit Raid Education Department Officer's Properties in Bihar?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- SVU raids highlight corruption in education.
- Virendra Kumar Sinha's assets under scrutiny.
- Allegations of bribery and misconduct arise.
- Ongoing investigations may lead to further revelations.
- Importance of accountability in public service.
Patna, Sep 11 (NationPress) On Thursday, the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) of Bihar executed searches across three locations associated with an officer from the state's Education Department, focusing on a case of disproportionate assets.
The targeted individual is Virendra Kumar Sinha, who serves as the Regional Deputy Director of Education (RDDE) for the Tirhut division.
Sinha faces accusations of accumulating assets valued at Rs 3.80 crore, significantly exceeding his declared income sources.
Sources indicate that the SVU has taken Sinha into custody in Patna for questioning.
Additionally, an associate of the RDDE is under investigation.
Ongoing searches are being conducted at his ancestral home in Purnea, his residence in Patna, and his office in Muzaffarpur.
Reports suggest that during these raids, officials found cash and valuable jewelry at his Patna residence.
Investigators believe that Sinha may have been running a bribery racket with assistance from his staff members.
Moreover, several office employees reportedly turned off their mobile devices in an attempt to obstruct information flow during the raid.
Sinha had assumed his position in the Tirhut division just two months prior. Employee unions have accused him of exploiting his power to demand bribes linked to attendance verification and various school-related affairs.
Recently, the Education Department granted RDDEs authority to oversee attendance for teachers and students, a decision that has allegedly resulted in extensive irregularities across multiple districts.
The SVU has initiated a thorough investigation and is compiling a detailed report on the case.
Earlier, on August 8, the SVU conducted simultaneous raids at three locations related to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sanjeev Kumar in Patna, Jehanabad, and Khagaria, also tied to a disproportionate assets case.
They filed an FIR against Kumar and secured a warrant from the Special Vigilance Court in Patna.
Kumar was implicated for possessing assets worth Rs 1.52 crore beyond his known income sources, with allegations of connections to illegal sand mining operations.