Vigilance Bureau raids Bihar bureaucrat couple’s premises

Bihar Vigilance Bureau searched four locations linked to a bureaucrat couple in a disproportionate assets case, recovering nearly Rs 80 lakh cash, jewellery worth Rs 52.60 lakh and 48 watches. Investigators also identified seven properties valued at around Rs 2.92 crore

Patna: The Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau conducted searches at four locations linked to a bureaucrat couple in Patna and Begusarai in connection with a disproportionate assets case, recovering nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash, jewellery valued at Rs 52.60 lakh and 48 watches valued at about Rs 6.01 lakh.

The case has been registered against Ravindra Kumar Diwakar, Additional District Magistrate (Supply) in Patna, and his wife, Kumari Sweety, who is posted as the Sub-Registrar in Danapur.

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According to the Vigilance Bureau, the couple is alleged to have accumulated assets worth about Rs 1.07 crore disproportionate to their known sources of income. The case was registered on September 25 under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to Vigilance officials, Rs 70.53 lakh in cash was recovered from the couple’s Patna flat, while another Rs 9.44 lakh was seized from their residence in Begusarai. The combined cash recovery was approximately Rs 79.98 lakh. A provisional valuation of gold, silver and diamond jewellery recovered during the searches put its total value at around Rs 52.60 lakh. Jewellery recovered from the Patna premises was valued at Rs 23.89 lakh, while that found in Begusarai was valued at Rs 28.70 lakh.

The searches also resulted in the seizure of 48 wristwatches of various brands, with a provisional value of approximately Rs 6.01 lakh. Documents relating to investments and bank accounts were also recovered, and proceedings are underway to freeze two bank accounts belonging to the couple.

The Vigilance Bureau has so far identified seven immovable properties purchased in the couple’s names between 2017 and 2026. These include two flats in Danapur, three plots measuring a combined 11.7 decimals in Phulwari Sharif and two plots measuring a total of 24 decimals in Begusarai.

According to officials, the purchase documents put the combined value of the seven properties at approximately Rs 2.92 crore. The actual value of the two Danapur flats is yet to be assessed, as interior work involving wood and plywood was reportedly underway when the searches were conducted.

The Technical Examination Cell will undertake its valuation. Search warrants for the operation were obtained from the Special Vigilance Court in Patna. Four Vigilance teams subsequently conducted searches at the couple’s residence and offices in Patna, and their residence in Begusarai on Monday.

According to Vigilance officials, Ravindra Kumar Diwakar began his government service as a teacher in 2000 before moving into administrative positions. He subsequently served as District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) in Saran, Senior Deputy Collector (SDC) in Katihar and Darbhanga, Public Grievance Redressal Officer (PGRO) in Saharsa, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Samastipur, and SDC in Gaya and Patna.

He was appointed Additional District Magistrate (Supply) in Patna in October 2025. His wife, Kumari Sweety, is a 2013-batch Sub-Registrar. She served in Teghra from 2013 to 2017, Haveli Kharagpur from 2017 to 2021, and Sakra from 2021 to 2024 before being posted to Danapur in 2024.

The Vigilance Investigation Bureau continued to examine the assets, financial records and documents recovered during the searches.