नवीनतम
Bihar logs record spike in corruption cases in 2025
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Corruption cases in Bihar touched their highest-ever level in 2025, with as many as 122 FIRs registered during the year, according to official data released by the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB). The sharp rise comes amid an intensified anti-corruption drive in the election year for the 243-member Bihar Assembly.
The number of cases registered in 2025 was nearly double the 25-year annual average of 72.68 FIRs. Data also revealed that the previous seven-year period between 2018 and 2024 saw an average of only 50 cases per year, with the highest during that phase recorded in 2022 at 72 cases.
In comparison, 2023 witnessed 36 FIRs, while 2018 and 2019 saw 63 and 68 cases respectively. The numbers dipped to 37 in 2020 before rising to 58 in 2021.
Bribery cases accounted for the bulk of the increase in 2025, forming nearly 81 per cent of all corruption cases registered. The VIB registered 101 bribery-related FIRs last year — more than double the 25-year average of 47 cases and almost three times the seven-year average of 35 cases.
As part of trap operations, vigilance officials arrested 107 accused persons, including seven women and six non-government employees. Bribe money worth Rs 37.80 lakh was recovered, with the highest single recovery pegged at Rs 3 lakh.
Convictions also witnessed a sharp rise during the year. Courts delivered judgments in 29 corruption cases in 2025, with 28 verdicts pronounced by the Vigilance Court in Patna. This marks a significant increase from 18 convictions in 2024. The seven-year average for convictions stood at six cases annually, while the 25-year average was 5.6.
However, the bureau noted that the average time taken for disposal of corruption cases remained high at 13 years, indicating prolonged pendency of trials.
VIB Director General Jitendra Singh Gangwar said the bureau plans to intensify efforts in 2026 by setting up two dedicated cells — one to monitor the legal process from filing of charge sheets to fast-track hearings, and another to expedite government sanctions required to prosecute public servants.
The rise in bribery cases was accompanied by a notable increase in disproportionate assets (DA) cases. The bureau registered 15 DA cases in 2025, involving alleged assets worth Rs 12.77 crore — double the long-term annual average of eight cases. The biggest DA case involved a former executive engineer of the building construction department, accused of amassing assets worth Rs 2.17 crore.
Additionally, six cases related to abuse of official position and authority (AOPA) were registered, accounting for five per cent of the total corruption cases. These involved alleged irregularities in wheat procurement, illegal land registrations at undervalued rates, and diversion of beneficiary payments under rural development schemes.
The bureau also stated that confiscation or property attachment proceedings were underway in 232 corruption cases registered over multiple years under the Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009. Action has also continued in alleged teacher recruitment irregularities between 2006 and 2015, following Patna High Court directions, with 1,711 FIRs registered across the state.
