The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) of Bihar arrested Roshan Kumar, an Assistant Engineer and District Project Officer in Bettiah, on Monday evening. The official was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of 5 lakh rupees in cash and a smart watch. This arrest occurred following a formal complaint regarding commission demands for school infrastructure projects in West Champaran.
Details of the Bribe Demand and Arrest
A contractor named Shams Tabrez filed a complaint after Roshan Kumar demanded a commission to clear payments for projects worth 57 lakh rupees. These works involved the installation of submersible pumps and school renovations. While the initial demand was 10 percent of the project value, the official later increased it to 7.50 lakh rupees and a smart watch during the verification process on March 1.
A trap was organized by a team led by DSP Bindeshwar Prasad and DSP Sudhir Kumar on March 2, 2026. The engineer was apprehended while receiving the first installment of the bribe and the gadget. Following the arrest, the SVU team began interrogating the accused to determine if other officials within the Bihar Education Project were involved in this corruption scheme.
Legal Action and Project Information
The SVU has registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the official. Roshan Kumar is expected to be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Patna on March 3. This action is part of the state government’s policy of zero tolerance against corruption in public offices.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Accused Official | Roshan Kumar (AE-cum-DPO) |
| Seized Cash | 5 Lakh Rupees |
| Seized Item | 1 Smart Watch |
| Total Bribe Demand | 7.50 Lakh Rupees |
| Project Value | 57 Lakh Rupees |
| Arrest Date | March 2, 2026 |
According to data released by the SVU, there is an intensified crackdown on corruption across Bihar this year. In the first two months of 2026 alone, the unit has already registered 28 cases against various public servants. Senior officials have urged the public to report any bribery demands immediately to ensure transparency in government school projects and infrastructure development.
