Patna, June 6, 2025 — In a high-profile crackdown on alleged corruption within the state bureaucracy, Bihar’s Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) conducted extensive raids at five locations linked to Shweta Mishra, a senior Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) officer. The action, centered around a disproportionate assets case worth ₹81.11 lakh, spanned across Patna and Katihar in Bihar and Prayagraj in neighboring Uttar Pradesh.
The officer, currently posted at the Public Grievances Redressal Cell in Katihar, was absent from her premises when the SVU teams — armed with search warrants issued by a competent court — arrived for the eight-hour-long operation.
Multiple Properties, Lavish Interiors, and Undisclosed Wealth
SVU officials revealed the seizure of ₹6.51 lakh in cash, jewelry worth ₹16 lakh, and documents linked to fixed deposits, insurance policies, and multiple real estate holdings.
One of the striking revelations was the officer’s luxurious residence in Prayagraj, where she reportedly spent around ₹30–35 lakh on interior decoration. Her assets also include a flat at Aradhya Mansion in Patna’s AG Colony, and a commercial property at Noorsarai in Ghaziabad along NH-58.
Additionally, the team seized documents showing a recent jewelry purchase of ₹1.40 lakh, while ownership deeds of land and property are currently under verification.
“Initial estimates suggest she holds property worth approximately ₹60 lakh in excess of her known sources of income,” confirmed an SVU official involved in the investigation.
A Case of Rising Above Means?
Shweta Mishra, a 2011 batch Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) officer, had long been under the scanner for financial irregularities. The SVU said preliminary investigation showed that her total wealth is 84.34% more than her legitimate income.
The current probe was initiated based on income-expenditure gaps that surfaced while she was posted in earlier roles. Notably, she came under scrutiny during her tenure as Deputy Collector of Land Reforms in Ara, Bhojpur, and later as an Arms Magistrate in Gaya, where her name was associated with controversial postings.
The disproportionate assets case against her adds yet another layer to the growing concerns over corruption in the administrative ranks of Bihar, where similar vigilance actions have been gaining momentum.
Silent on the Spotlight
At the time of the raid, Mishra was reportedly unavailable, and no official statement has been issued from her end. Sources say that she may be summoned for questioning after the SVU completes its verification of the seized documents and assets.
Meanwhile, the vigilance team is preparing to forward the findings to the state’s anti-corruption court, where the case will proceed for further legal scrutiny.
Larger Implications for State Governance
This case is the latest in a string of high-stakes vigilance actions in Bihar that highlight the challenges of administrative accountability. While the Bihar government has pledged zero tolerance toward corruption, critics argue that systemic flaws continue to shelter dishonest officials — often until large-scale investigations such as these expose the rot.
For now, Shweta Mishra stands as a symbol of a deeper rot that many believe festers quietly within layers of power and privilege. Whether justice will follow quickly or take the slow road of legal procedure remains to be seen.
