Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has carried out major raids in Bihar, recovering crores of rupees in cash and property documents from senior government officials. At the house of Rural Works Department Superintendent Engineer Vinod Kumar Rai, officials found Rs 55 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery, and papers for land and bank accounts.
The raid took place at his four-storey residence on Bhootnath Road in Patna. Investigators said attempts were made to burn bundles of cash and throw them into drains when news of the raid spread. The EOU called in the Municipal Corporation and forensic teams to recover the burnt notes, which could be worth crores. Rai, who is posted in Sitamarhi and Madhubani, is under investigation for earning wealth far beyond his official income.
On the same day, the EOU also raided four locations linked to Bhagalpur Registrar Binay Saurabh. From his properties in Purnia, Siliguri and Sasaram, the team seized Rs 2.5 lakh in cash, gold jewellery and documents for several flats and plots. During questioning, his wife revealed details of another property recently bought in Sasaram.
Officials said Saurabh has acquired nearly 188% more assets than his legal income, estimated at Rs 1.43 crore. His properties are valued at more than Rs 2.7 crore, spread across Bihar and West Bengal. A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
These raids are the third major action of the EOU in just 36 hours and are being seen as part of a larger crackdown on corruption in government departments.
