Patna, May 8 (IANS) In a major anti-corruption operation in Bihar’s Jamui, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB) on Friday arrested a clerk posted at the Sono Primary Health Centre while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 37,000.​

The accused, identified as Rupesh Kumar, is accused of demanding money from an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) in exchange for clearing her pending salary arrears.​

According to the complaint, the victimised ANM, Rajnandini, had not received salary arrears for nearly 11 months.​

She alleged that the clerk demanded an amount equivalent to one month’s salary as a bribe to process and release the pending payment.​

Rajnandini stated that demands for illegal payments had allegedly been continuing since February 2025.​

After receiving the complaint, the Vigilance Department conducted a preliminary verification of the allegation and found it to be genuine.​

Based on the findings, officials registered an FIR and laid a trap operation.​

The Vigilance team then apprehended Rupesh Kumar red-handed while he was allegedly accepting Rs 37,000 in cash from the complainant.​

The ANM alleged that the delay in salary payments had placed her under severe financial distress.​

According to her statement, she was compelled to mortgage her land to pay the bribe demanded by the accused.​

She formally lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Department on March 23, following which an investigation was initiated.​

Rajnandini further alleged that such corrupt practices were being carried out openly at the health centre.​

She claimed that the activities were occurring under the knowledge of the PHC in charge, identified as Shashi Bhushan.​

The ANM also alleged that several other female employees had previously been forced to pay bribes of around Rs 6,000 each, but they refrained from filing complaints due to fear and pressure.​

Pawan Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police with the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, confirmed the arrest and stated that the allegations had been verified before action was taken.​

“An FIR was registered based on the complaint filed by the victimised ANM, Rajnandini, and the allegations were verified. After the investigation confirmed the validity of the case, he was arrested red-handed on Friday with Rs 37,000 in cash,” the DSP said.​

Further investigation into the case is currently underway.

–IANS

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