Bihar IAS Officer Nilesh Ramchandra Deore Flies Chartered Plane: Caste Twist Adds Political Fire

Patna: Senior IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, has come under the spotlight after traveling with his family on a chartered flight, sparking a political controversy. The opposition has raised questions about the use of public funds, while the debate has recently taken a caste-based turn.

Opposition parties, including the RJD and Congress, questioned how an IAS officer could afford a chartered flight for his family and who bore the expenses. The trip, which took place in June 2025 from New Delhi to Patna, involved four passengers—the officer and his family.

The Bihar government, led by JD(U)-BJP, defended Deore, stating that the plane was already returning to Patna with empty seats. The officer simply made use of available seats, and there was no misuse of resources, the government clarified.

Caste Becomes a Political Weapon

The controversy escalated when Bihar minister Ashok Chaudhary injected caste into the debate. Highlighting that Deore belongs to the Dalit community, Chaudhary asked whether being from a marginalized caste should limit an officer’s right to travel on the plane.

The issue first surfaced in the Bihar Assembly when Rahul Sharma, MLA from Jehanabad, questioned how an IAS officer could afford such an expensive chartered flight. He said, “On June 5, 2025, a Falcon 2000 King Air chartered flight departed from Delhi to Patna. It did not stop at a regular civil airport but reportedly went to a flying institute, raising several questions. A government officer from Bihar traveled with his family—four passengers in total. Was permission officially granted? If someone else paid, why? What did they gain in return?”

Sharma further urged a full audit of Deore’s tenure, emphasizing the need to establish facts. “People don’t pay for a tempo ride and then get private flight facilities,” he said. “A large corruption network appears to be active in Bihar, requiring a thorough investigation. The government’s silence raises suspicion. Bihar is a poor state, and these allegations are serious and deeply concerning. We only seek clarity on how an IAS officer could travel by a chartered plane.”