Bettiah: The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) on Thursday conducted simultaneous raids at multiple properties linked to District Education Officer (DEO) Rajnikant Praveen in Bettiah and other locations. The raids, carried out under the direction of Bihar SVU Additional Director General Pankaj Kumar Darad, targeted Praveen’s rented residence on Sariswa Road, the District Education Office, and a private trust office near the Yamaha showroom on NH 727 in Bettiah.
The operation spanned additional properties in Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Samastipur. Preliminary investigations have uncovered disproportionate assets worth approximately Rs 1.87 crore, allegedly amassed illegally since Praveen joined service in 2005. According to officials, the assets are vastly disproportionate to his legitimate sources of income over his 19-20 years of service.
Praveen, a 45th batch officer of Bihar Education Department, has held posts in Darbhanga, Samastipur, and other districts. The investigation alleges that Praveen conspired to acquire substantial movable and immovable properties through illegal means.
Further scrutiny revealed that Praveen’s wife, Sushma Kumari, a former contract teacher, now serves as the director and de facto owner of Open Mind Birla School in Darbhanga. Investigators believe the school is operated using funds obtained through Praveen’s alleged illicit activities.
Teachers’ organizations had earlier accused Praveen of corruption, which contributed to the initiation of the investigation. The vigilance department is expected to continue its probe into the case, focusing on tracing the flow of funds and additional assets tied to the DEO.
