Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police questioned Saharsa DRDA director Vaibhav Kumar in connection with a case of allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. His bank lockers are also being examined as part of the ongoing probe.The interrogation follows raids conducted by the EOU on March 31 at six locations linked to Kumar in Saharsa and Muzaffarpur. During those searches, investigators recovered important documents related to 16 properties, including valuable commercial and residential land plots in Patna and Muzaffarpur acquired since 2016, many of which were registered in the names of his wife, son and father.The FIR initially pegged the disproportionate assets at around Rs2.41 crore, roughly 78% more than his known income, with a significant portion suspected to be from unverified sources.During the questioning at the EOU office, Kumar was specifically asked about certain properties already registered in his or his family’s name — particularly an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) that he runs. Investigators raised questions regarding the source of the initial investment, who actually funded it, among others.Manavjit Singh Dhillon, DIG of EOU, said the replies provided on this matter were not found to be fully satisfactory. “The rest of the investigation will now proceed on the basis of documentary evidence and papers recovered from his bank lockers. Details from all banks concerned, insurance companies and his account are being accessed to carry out a comprehensive calculation of his total disproportionate assets and income. Kumar will be summoned again for further questioning only if the need arises,” he said.The EOU is continuing its scrutiny to determine the exact extent of the disproportionate assets, which is expected to rise beyond the initial figure mentioned in the FIR.
