Bihar's Graft Paradox: A Decade and a Half of Anti-Corruption Drives & Persistent Allegations

Bihar’s Graft Paradox: A Decade and a Half of Anti-Corruption Drives & Persistent Allegations

Corruption in Bihar over the last 15 years, spanning from approximately November 2010 to November 2025, presents a complex narrative of determined anti-corruption initiatives juxtaposed with enduring allegations of malfeasance. While the state government has implemented pioneering measures to curb graft, concerns about its widespread prevalence continue to be voiced by political figures, activists, and various reports, painting a picture of an ongoing and challenging battle.

Early Reforms and Initial Recognition (2010-2011) The early part of this period saw Bihar lauded for its proactive stance against corruption under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Several landmark initiatives were introduced:

Bihar Special Courts Act, 2010: This groundbreaking legislation empowered the government to confiscate properties of bureaucrats accused of bribery and repurpose them for public welfare, such as converting them into schools for the underprivileged. A notable instance was the seizure of suspended IAS officer Shiv Shankar Verma’s property in 2010. Mandatory Asset Declaration: In December 2010, Bihar became a pioneer by making it mandatory for all public servants, from the Chief Minister and his cabinet to Class III employees (approximately 640,000 individuals), to declare their assets annually in the public domain. This move aimed to foster transparency and accountability. Whistleblower Incentives: The government also offered a ₹5 lakh incentive to whistleblowers who exposed graft in development projects, payable upon conviction and recovery of public funds. Vigilance and Enforcement: Agencies like the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB), Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and Economic Offence Unit (EOU) were actively involved in prosecuting cases, ensuring punishment, and confiscating illegally acquired assets. These efforts contributed to reports around 2011 suggesting Bihar was among India’s least corrupt states. Persistent Challenges and Evolving Tactics Despite the initial vigor, the fight against corruption in Bihar faced persistent hurdles, with concerns resurfacing and evolving over time:

Financial Irregularities: A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report from 2010 highlighted substantial financial irregularities, with significant development funds reportedly “spent” without proper vouchers, raising red flags about potential embezzlement and administrative negligence. Limitations of Asset Declaration: Over time, the effectiveness of the mandatory asset declaration system was questioned. Officials reportedly found ways to circumvent the system by filing undervalued or false declarations, and the lack of a robust parallel legal structure to verify these claims limited its impact. Decline in Vigilance Cases: An anonymous former IPS officer noted a perceived waning of the Chief Minister’s interest in fighting corruption post-2010, with a notable decline in the number of vigilance cases filed. For instance, cases dropped from 83 in 2017 to just 12 in 2020. The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) registered only 52 cases since its inception in 2007, with six cases registered in the current year, 2024. High-Profile Accusations and Scandals (up to November 2025) The state has continued to grapple with significant corruption allegations and high-profile cases, some extending into the present year:

India Corruption Survey (2019): Transparency International India placed Bihar as one of the most corrupt states, with a staggering 75% of surveyed individuals admitting to having paid bribes. Recent Exposes: In 2022, a drug inspector in the Bihar health department was found with over ₹4 crore in cash and 27 properties, despite modest declared assets, starkly exposing the limitations of existing checks. Political Firestorm (2025): Political strategist Prashant Kishor, in August 2025, accused the current Bihar government of being the “most corrupt administration in the state’s history,” alleging widespread “loot and corruption” from top to bottom. He specifically named senior Bihar BJP leaders, accusing them of financial irregularities. Also in 2025, senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan alleged “corruption at the highest level” in the Bihar government concerning the leasing of 1,000 acres of land for a power project at a nominal rate, potentially causing a significant annual loss to the state exchequer. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, in 2025, criticized the Nitish Kumar government for alleged rampant corruption and a collapse of law and order, citing incidents like the seizure of over ₹2 crore in assets from a district education officer. Historical Scams with Recent Convictions: Fodder Scam: Though originating much earlier, convictions related to this multi-crore embezzlement scam, including that of former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, occurred within this 15-year period (e.g., December 2017). Land-for-Jobs Case: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and daughter Misa Bharti were granted bail in a corruption case related to alleged irregularities in railway recruitment between 2004 and 2009. Bureaucratic Implication: Several IAS officers have been booked or arrested on corruption charges, including Sudhir Kumar in the BSSC paper leak case (2017), S.M. Raju for scholarship fund embezzlement (2013-2014), and K. Senthil Kumar for an ₹8.76 crore loss due to illegal building map approvals. Corruption Hotspots: Reports from the state’s Vigilance Department identified Muzaffarpur as the most corruption-affected district, with anti-corruption action initiated against 213 officials since 2006, followed by Kishanganj, Patna, and Vaishali. Government’s Stance and Ongoing Efforts Despite the allegations, the Bihar government, under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has consistently maintained a “Zero Tolerance Policy” towards corruption. This commitment was reiterated through high-level reviews of vigilance bodies in 2025, emphasizing swift action against corrupt public servants and the confiscation of illegally earned property.

Recent efforts by the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) from January 2020 to October 2024 include:

Registering 216 cases, including 148 trap cases and 43 disproportionate assets cases. Arresting 172 individuals in trap cases and recovering ₹80 lakh in bribe money, with an additional ₹30 lakh during subsequent searches. Confiscating over ₹46 crore linked to 43 disproportionate assets cases under the Bihar Special Court Act, 2009. Conclusion Bihar’s journey through the last 15 years reveals a state grappling with the pervasive challenge of corruption. From pioneering transparency measures to the persistent shadow of high-profile scandals and political accusations, the battle is far from over. While legislative frameworks and enforcement agencies have made strides, the ongoing public and political discourse suggests that deep-seated systemic issues require continuous vigilance, stronger enforcement, and unwavering political will to truly achieve a corruption-free Bihar.