PATNA: A district-level inquiry has found prima facie evidence of financial irregularities against Saran District Programme Officer (Secondary Education, Planning and Accounts) Ajit Kumar Harijan, with investigators alleging that he accumulated assets nearly ten times higher than his known income. The five-member committee has submitted its report to the District Magistrate, who has forwarded it to the education department for legal action.Saran District Magistrate Vaibhava Srivastava told this newspaper on Sunday the inquiry was ordered after complaints of financial irregularities surfaced against the officer. “The committee verified bank account statements and other financial records, and the allegations were found to be prima facie true. Based on the findings, we have submitted the charges to the department. Further action, including suspension, rests with the competent departmental authority,” he said, adding that he could not comment on specific financial details as the matter is under consideration.According to the report, Harijan earned a salary of Rs 27.43 lakh between August 2023 and April 2026, but over Rs 2.51 crore was deposited into bank accounts held by him and his wife during the same period. The committee also found that around 120 katthas of land in Ekma block, valued at approximately Rs 41.5 lakh, was purchased in his wife’s name, along with the construction of a house worth several lakhs.The inquiry further alleged that Harijan had financial dealings with education department contractor Ravi Kumar Ram in violation of the Bihar Government Servants’ Conduct Rules. The committee has recommended a detailed investigation into bank accounts and properties linked to the officer and his family, stating that a wider probe may reveal additional irregularities.
