Patna: A senior official in Bihar’s Integrated Child Development Services has been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe, in what authorities described as a significant anti-corruption operation.
The Special Vigilance Unit in Patna said Anita Kumari, District Programme Officer (DPO) for ICDS in Thakurganj, was detained after allegedly being caught “red-handed” while accepting Rs 50,000. The arrest followed a written complaint by Nagendra Kumar, who accused the officer of exerting pressure and demanding money.
According to the complaint, Kumari allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh in exchange for not issuing a charge sheet or initiating suspension proceedings against the complainant. Vigilance officials said the allegations were treated as serious and a preliminary inquiry was conducted.
After the initial verification, investigators laid a trap. Officers said Kumari was apprehended while accepting Rs 50,000 as part of the alleged bribe. A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, listed as case number 08/2026.
The accused officer is being questioned and will be produced before the vigilance court in Patna on Friday, officials said. Evidence relevant to the case has been seized.
The Special Vigilance Unit said a detailed investigation was under way to determine whether others were involved and to examine the possibility of a wider bribery network.
In a statement, the Vigilance Department said the action was intended to send a strong message against corruption and urged members of the public to come forward with complaints. Officials described the arrest as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability within the state’s administrative system.
