7 IAS Officers Jailed in Corruption Cases So Far in Jharkhand

Ranchi: In a major development in Jharkhand's ongoing anti-corruption drive, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has, for the first time, arrested a serving Principal Secretary—marking a significant step in the fight against high-level graft. With this latest action, a total of seven IAS officers in the state have been sent to jail in corruption-related cases. However, this is the first instance where the ACB has directly acted against such a senior bureaucrat.

Until now, ACB’s crackdown had primarily targeted lower-level government functionaries such as constables, circle officers (COs), revenue officials, and block development officers (BDOs). The recent arrests signal a broader and more assertive approach by the agency, which is now targeting senior IAS officers, including those at the level of Principal Secretary and Joint Commissioner.

The first IAS officer in Jharkhand to be jailed was Sajal Chakraborty, in connection with the infamous Fodder Scam, following a CBI investigation. Dr. Pradeep Kumar and Siya Ram Prasad Sinha were arrested by the CBI in a separate medicine procurement scam involving irregularities in the health department.

Chhavi Ranjan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged involvement in two major land scams concerning illegal land acquisition and manipulation of government records. Pooja Singhal was also taken into custody by the ED in connection with the MNREGA scam, which involved massive misappropriation of rural development funds.

Anil Kumar, a former Settlement Officer in Palamu, was jailed for corruption in connection with missing files related to illegal appointments in the education department.

Most recently, on May 20, the ACB arrested Vinay Choubey, Principal Secretary, in relation to a large-scale liquor scam. This is the ACB’s first direct action against a high-ranking IAS officer in Jharkhand and is being seen as a bold step in the state's fight against entrenched corruption.

The arrest of such a senior official reflects Jharkhand’s growing resolve to address corruption not just at the grassroots, but at the highest levels of bureaucracy.