Muzaffarpur District Agriculture Officer Arrested While Taking Bribe

The Vigilance Investigation Bureau arrested Muzaffarpur District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Sudhir Kumar on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹19,000. The arrest was made at his private residence on Church Road, sending shockwaves through the agriculture department.

According to officials, Sudhir Kumar had demanded a total bribe of ₹2 lakh from contractual employee Santosh Kumar in return for extending his service and ensuring rejoining. Earlier, the complainant had already paid ₹1.81 lakh under pressure, but the officer continued to demand the remaining amount.

Facing repeated harassment and financial distress, Santosh Kumar approached the Vigilance Investigation Bureau in Patna on December 11, 2025. He revealed that to arrange the bribe money, he had taken loans, mortgaged his wife’s jewelry, and even sold his vehicle.

After verifying the complaint, a special vigilance team laid a trap. When Santosh Kumar handed over the remaining ₹19,000 at the officer’s residence, the vigilance team caught Sudhir Kumar red-handed.

DSP Mithilesh Kumar confirmed that the bribe amount was recovered and searches are underway to investigate possible disproportionate assets. The accused, who also held additional charge as Project Director (ATMA) and Assistant Director (Crops), has been taken to Patna and will be produced before the special vigilance court.

The arrest has caused a stir in the agriculture department and once again highlighted the ongoing fight against corruption in government offices.