Patna: The Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) has arrested a Junior Engineer of a power distribution company and a technician of a private firm while they were allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000 for providing a new electricity connection in Bhagalpur district, officials said on July 21.
The accused have been identified as Amit Kumar, posted as a Junior Engineer at Kautilya North Power Sub-station on Kutchery Road in Bhagalpur Distribution, and Saurabh Kumar, a technician with Genus Company, which is engaged in smart meter installation.
Complaint Led to Verification
According to a Vigilance Department release, the complainant, Santosh Kumar, a resident of Sahdeo Enclave in Jhauva Kothi under Barari police station in Bhagalpur, approached the Vigilance Investigation Bureau alleging that Amit Kumar had demanded Rs 4,000 to provide a new power connection.
The Bureau said it verified the complaint and found the allegations to be genuine before initiating legal action.
Trap Conducted by Vigilance Team
Following the verification, the Bureau constituted a trap team under the supervision of Mithilesh Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP), Vigilance Investigation Bureau, Patna.
The team allegedly caught Amit Kumar red-handed while accepting the bribe. Saurabh Kumar, who has been named as a non-FIR accused, was also apprehended during the operation, according to the release.
Officials said both accused will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Bhagalpur after interrogation. Further investigation is underway.
Anti-Corruption Drive in 2026
The Vigilance Investigation Bureau said this is the 86th corruption-related FIR registered in Bihar in 2026 and the 80th trap case conducted by the agency this year.
According to the Bureau, 80 accused have so far been caught red-handed and arrested in 80 trap cases during 2026.
The Bureau said it has recovered Rs 29.18 lakh in alleged bribe money through these operations so far this year. In 2025, it recovered Rs 37.80 lakh across 101 trap cases, according to official data.
