A recent controversy has emerged in Bihar, revealing that numerous officials facing corruption allegations have been cleared by their departments without any public notification. This pattern has been observed not only in the Education Department but also in the Transport Department, where officials anticipated to face severe repercussions have instead been quietly exonerated. This occurs amidst the state government’s repeated commitments to combat corruption and promote transparent governance. The Education Department recently absolved a District Education Officer (DEO) accused of holding disproportionate assets. Although the Vigilance Bureau conducted raids and subsequently registered a case against him, the department closed the matter within two years, asserting that no misconduct was found.
This rapid resolution raises significant concerns regarding the handling of such a serious case, especially given the strong allegations and ongoing judicial proceedings. A comparable situation has been noted within the Transport Department, where Motor Vehicle Inspectors accused of amassing wealth up to 500% beyond their salaries were also discreetly cleared of charges. Sources within the department suggest that the clean chit letters were intentionally withheld from public scrutiny to evade criticism and further exposure. Some insiders even allege that there are plans to promote these officers despite the pending cases against them. The Economic Offences Unit (EOU), which initiated the cases and conducted the raids, continues its investigation, further casting doubt on the legitimacy of the departmental clearances.
One of the most notable cases involves Siwan’s DEO, Mithilesh Kumar. After being raided by the Vigilance Bureau, he was suspended, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated. However, following his retirement, the case was transferred under Pension Rules. The reviewing officer assessed the charges twice and deemed them unproven. On November 19, the department officially concluded the case, exonerating the officer of all allegations, while the earlier judicial case remains unresolved, indicating that the legal process is still ongoing. These occurrences present a new challenge for the Nitish Kumar administration, which professes a zero-tolerance stance towards corruption. Despite the government’s firm rhetoric against corruption, the rising number of undisclosed clean chits portrays a contrasting narrative.
Experts and citizens are concerned that if this trend persists, the anti-corruption framework in Bihar may weaken, diminishing the integrity of honest investigations. Consequently, there is growing public demand for a thorough review to guarantee that corrupt officials are not sheltered by the system.
