Begusarai DTO clerk agent arrested for accepting bribe

Patna: A team of the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB), Patna, on Friday arrested a senior clerk posted at the Begusarai District Transport Office (DTO) and an agent while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000 for processing a vehicle ownership transfer.

The accused were identified as Sanjay Kumar, a senior clerk at the DTO office, and Shivanand Jha, an agent. The action was taken following a complaint lodged with the VIB headquarters in Patna on May 27.

Sanjay Kumar was arrested from his chamber at the DTO office, while Jha was caught on the road outside the south gate of the Begusarai Civil Court while allegedly receiving the bribe amount.

According to the VIB, “Complainant Satyam Kumar, son of Ram Puneet Mahto and a resident of Sakrauli village under Cheria Bariarpur police station in Begusarai, lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, Patna. He alleged that the accused clerk demanded a bribe for transferring a vehicle.”

The bureau verified the complaint and found evidence supporting the allegation of a bribe demand. After the charges were found prima facie true, a case was registered and a trap team was constituted under the leadership of investigating officer Ranjit Kumar Nirala, DSP, VIB, Patna.

The team conducted the raid and arrested both accused while allegedly accepting Rs 6,000 as bribe.

The VIB said the accused would be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Bhagalpur after interrogation. Further investigation is under way.