Bihar Engineer 'Hoarded' Highway Land; Raids Unearth 31 Deeds, Tea Estate, Gas Agency, Nepal House

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 13:55 IST

Raids across 7 locations exposed assets far beyond income, including strategic land buys, a luxury home, bank deposits, and cross-border links

In a major anti-corruption crackdown in Bihar, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has unearthed a vast web of assets allegedly amassed by Executive Engineer Manoj Kumar Rajak, with investigators flagging a strategic ‘highway model’ of investments alongside properties worth crores.

Raids conducted across seven locations revealed land purchases along national highways, commercial plots, a tea garden, and even an overseas property, pointing to assets far exceeding known sources of income.

The operation, carried out simultaneously in Darbhanga, Jaynagar (Madhubani), Nirmali and Karjain (Supaul), targeted Rajak’s residence, office and suspected business premises. Officials said the scale of recoveries necessitated coordinated raids across districts. A search warrant had been obtained from a Muzaffarpur vigilance court prior to the action.

Rajak, currently posted as Executive Engineer in the Supply Division at Jaynagar, had come under scrutiny following complaints of disproportionate assets. Preliminary findings suggested assets 62.66% above his income, but documents and investment trails recovered during the raids indicate this could rise to 150% or more.

Highway-Linked Land Strategy

Investigators have recovered 31 land documents, including parcels strategically acquired along national highways in Supaul — a move officials believe was aimed at maximising future commercial returns. In addition, commercial plots in Araria and Darbhanga point to a pattern of forward-looking, high-yield investments.

Plans to open a petrol pump in 2018 were also part of this expansion strategy, suggesting a coordinated effort to leverage highway-linked infrastructure growth.

Wide Asset Network Across States

Among the major assets identified are a luxury house in Darbhanga worth crores, a gas agency in Araria, multiple bank accounts, and insurance investments. The probe has also uncovered assets beyond Bihar, including commercial land in Siliguri and a tea garden in Darjeeling.

A Nepal link has further deepened the case. Officials found that a house was constructed in Harihar Nagar, allegedly in the name of a close associate, raising concerns about cross-border investments and possible attempts to conceal ownership.

Probe Widens to Financial Network

Sources indicate that funds may have been routed through multiple builders, who are now being identified and could face notices. There are also unconfirmed inputs about money being diverted into betting activities.

Officials say the investigation is now focused not just on quantifying disproportionate assets, but also on identifying the broader financial network and sources of investment.

The EOU is currently analysing seized documents and assessing the total value of assets.

The case has raised a larger question for investigators — whether this is an isolated instance of corruption or part of a deeper, systemic pattern within the government machinery.

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