Patna, February 17 – In a major anti-corruption move, the Special Vigilance Unit on Tuesday apprehended the District Agriculture Officer of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, and his driver while they were accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.
The operation has sent shockwaves through the district's administrative machinery.
According to an official from the vigilance unit, the action was taken following a written complaint submitted to the Vigilance Department.
The complainant alleged that Himanshu Kumar, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer and In-Charge District Agriculture Officer, Muzaffarpur, was demanding Rs 50,000 in exchange for not cancelling the license of a fertilizer shop during an inspection.
The complaint further stated that the bribe amount was to be collected by the officer's driver, Rambabu Rai.
Following the receipt of the complaint, the vigilance unit conducted a confidential verification, which confirmed the allegations.
Subsequently, a special raiding team, led by Vigilance Deputy Superintendent of Police Bindeshwar Prasad and DSP Sudhir Kumar, was constituted.
On Tuesday, the vigilance team laid a trap and conducted the raid at the pre-determined location.
As soon as the bribe transaction took place, the vigilance team intervened and apprehended both the officer and his driver while they were accepting Rs 50,000.
The bribe amount and related evidence were seized on the spot.
Confirming the action, Vigilance DSP Sudhir Kumar said that the agriculture officer was taking the bribe through his driver.
An FIR has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018) at the Special Vigilance Unit Police Station, Patna, Case No. 6/26 dated February 17, 2026.
Both accused have been taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway.
Officials said the action sends a strong message that corruption at any level will not be tolerated.
The Vigilance Department reiterated that similar operations will continue to ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance across Bihar.
In recent weeks, the vigilance unit has intensified its raids in Bihar, and several corrupt officers and employees were apprehended in different districts.