In an unprecedented move against corruption, the Block Development Officer (BDO) and the block accountant of Raniganj in Bihar’s Araria district were arrested red-handed by the State Vigilance Team while accepting a bribe of at least ₹1.5 lakh. This incident has caused a significant stir within the district’s administrative circles.

According to police sources, Kalanand Singh, deputy head of the Raniganj Gram Panchayat Samiti, and his colleague Shambhu Yadav had filed a written complaint with the State Vigilance. Their complaint alleged that the BDO and the block accountant demanded a bribe of ₹1.5 lakh for a government project worth ₹15 lakh. They also claimed that the due funds for the project would not be released without this bribe. Following the complaint, the State Vigilance initiated a covert investigation.

On Tuesday night, May 20, 2025, the Vigilance set a trap. The team caught the accused BDO red-handed at his official bungalow while he was accepting the money from the complainants. The block accountant was arrested simultaneously.

Following their arrest, both accused were transported by road to Patna on Tuesday night. Legal action is being taken against them, and investigations are underway to determine if others are involved in the incident.