Corruption in Public Office: A Detailed Case Study of DEO Rajnikanth Praveen (Bettiah, Bihar)

An Article by Adv. Rishabh Kumar Mishra (Patna High Court)

In a shocking development that has shaken the foundation of the education system in Bihar, a disproportionate assets case has surfaced against District Education Officer (DEO) Rajnikanth Praveen, who was posted in Bettiah, West Champaran. A sweeping raid conducted by the Bihar Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) uncovered massive unaccounted wealth, raising serious concerns over widespread corruption in the education department.

Multi-District Raid Uncovers Overwhelming Evidence

The SVU carried out coordinated raids across Darbhanga, Madhubani, West Champaran, and Samastipur, beginning with Rajnikanth Praveen’s office and subsequently extending to his residence. The search operation revealed over ₹3.6 crore in cash, bundles of currency notes hidden under beds, and significant evidence of massive wealth accumulation.

List of Seized and Reported Properties & Assets

The investigation has uncovered the following stunning details:

1. The seized cash alone reportedly represents one month’s earnings, suggesting long-standing and large-scale corruption since his service began in 2005 and especially after his posting in Bettiah in 2020.
2. Acres of agricultural and commercial land across Patna, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Raxaul, and other key districts.
3. Multiple luxurious flats and bungalows in upscale localities of Patna, Noida, Delhi, and Kota—raising questions on how a government officer in the education sector could afford such prime real estate.
4. Fixed Deposits (FDs) worth crores registered in the names of his children, allegedly a method to hide black money.
5. Kilograms of gold, silver, and other precious metals.
6. A private trust office operational near the Yamaha showroom on NH 727 in Bettiah, further hinting at illegal financial dealings and money laundering.

Illegal Activities During Tenure

Misuse of Power and Harassment of Teachers

Numerous teachers have accused Rajnikant Praveen of:

• Illegally suspending teachers without cause and reinstating them after receiving hefty bribes.
• Withholding salaries and releasing them only after bribe payments, sometimes demanding lakhs of rupees.
• Creating a fear-based system within the department where favoritism and extortion were rampant.

MDM Plate Scam

In the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, a major scam referred to as the “Plate Ghotala” occurred. Plates were purchased in bulk by trucks from Praveen’s favorite vendor but were falsely billed as local purchases made by headmasters. This inflated billing allowed for substantial embezzlement. Several teacher associations and representatives have alleged that the District Programme Officer (DPO) for MDM was a key player in orchestrating this fraud.

Summer Sebul Scam

Rajnikanth Praveen is also accused of being involved in the “Summer Sebul Ghotala,” another fraudulent scheme where funds allocated were misappropriated with the help of fake vendors and inflated bills.

Bench-Desk Scam

In the “Bench-Desk Scam,” school furniture that cost around ₹2,000 per unit was billed at ₹5,000–₹6,000. The Total Number of Bench Desk bought was in Thousands. This was done in collaboration with contractors and suppliers to skim off a large chunk of the allocated government funds.

The Role of Anjani Kumar: The DEO’s “Right Hand”

Sources and complaints point to Anjani Kumar, a clerk under Praveen, as his trusted accomplice in these illegal operations. Anjani was responsible for:

• Monthly cash collections from teachers and other staff.
• Acting as an intermediary in bribe negotiations.
• Amassing crores of rupees in property and assets, allegedly due to his role in the racket.

Despite overwhelming allegations, no concrete action has been initiated against Anjani, reportedly due to the involvement of several senior officials in the corruption chain.

Corruption in Science Lab Funds and Supplier Nexus

In recent years, the education department allocated huge budgets for the development of science labs in government schools. Insiders reveal that over 50% of this amount was siphoned off through collusion between officials and suppliers.

• A farm named “Champaran #####”, based in Motihari, reportedly facilitated the embezzlement by collaborating with Praveen.
• Similar corruption has been reported in Motihari, where suppliers and officials alike have benefited.
• Despite serious complaints, investigations were either superficial or deliberately suppressed.

Network of Corruption and Calls for Wider Investigation

Following the revelations in Bettiah, there is a growing demand to investigate the assets of suppliers across Bettiah and Motihari, who are believed to have enriched themselves through illegal contracts and kickbacks.

Officials have reportedly bought properties from Patna to Delhi, and many claim that Rajnikanth Praveen is just the tip of the iceberg. Whispers in administrative corridors suggest at least five DEOs during the tenure of a former Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) amassed illegal wealth without any fear of reprisal.

Education Department Under Scanner

The Education Department in Bihar has become a hotbed of corruption:

• Despite massive government spending to improve infrastructure, quality, and facilities in government schools, funds have been misused.
• From bench-desk supply contracts to school building renovations, officials in several districts have indulged in contractor collusion for personal enrichment.
• Token actions were taken against a few, but systemic corruption continues unabated.

Legal Framework and Charges

As a government servant, Rajnikanth Praveen has allegedly violated several legal and administrative provisions, including:

1. Violation of Bihar Government Servant Conduct Rules

As a public servant, Praveen may face departmental action under the Bihar Government Servant Conduct Rules for breaching ethical and legal responsibilities.

2. Criminal Conspiracy

If it is found that Praveen conspired with others to carry out these fraudulent activities, he could be charged under IPC Section 120B {Now in 61(2) BNS}.

3. Corruption (Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988)

Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, he faces charges including:

• Criminal misconduct (Section 13)
• Bribery (Section 7)
• Possession of disproportionate assets (Section 13(1)(e))

4. Criminal Breach of Trust

Due to allegations of amassing disproportionate assets, IPC Section 409 {Now Section 316(5) BNS} (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) can also be invoked.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Misgovernance in “Sushasan” Era

DEO Rajnikanth Praveen has now become a symbol of corruption in Bihar’s education sector. In a state that claims to be under the umbrella of “good governance” or “Sushasan”, such cases expose the ground realities of unchecked bureaucratic corruption.

His case serves as a wake-up call for systemic reforms and stricter enforcement. Transparency, accountability, and integrity are not just administrative buzzwords—they are the foundation of public trust.

Recommendations

1. Immediate investigation of all education suppliers in Bettiah and Motihari.
2. Enforcement of online transfer and audit systems to limit discretion and corruption.
3. Whistleblower protection mechanisms to encourage honest reporting.
4. Departmental reformation through external monitoring, independent audits, and public disclosure of departmental finances.
5. Stringent action against clerks like Anjani Kumar and junior officers, whose role in corruption is undeniable.