Bihar: RJD Leader Arrested for Allegedly Cheating ₹2 Crore in Grain Supply Scam

In a major crackdown on alleged financial fraud, Gopalganj police have arrested a senior leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on charges of cheating a Patna-based businessman of nearly ₹2 crore on the pretext of arranging grain supplies from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The accused, Pradeep Dev, who serves as the State Vice-President of the RJD’s Extremely Backward Classes Cell, was arrested late Saturday night following a police raid near Lakhpatiya Mor in Gopalganj town. The arrest was made in connection with an FIR lodged by Pankaj Kumar Singh, a resident of Patna, at Natwar Bazaar police station in Rohtas district.

According to the complaint, Pradeep Dev allegedly promised to secure large quantities of grain from FCI and, under this assurance, extracted money from the complainant in multiple installments. The total amount allegedly siphoned off stands at ₹1,98,17,000, which was paid in 21 installments over a period of time.

Police officials stated that preliminary investigation found the allegations to be credible, following which a special team conducted raids and apprehended the RJD leader. After his arrest, Pradeep Dev was interrogated for nearly two hours at a Gopalganj police station before being taken into custody for further legal proceedings.

Investigators have also revealed that this is not the first time the accused has been involved in such activities. In 2019, Pradeep Dev was reportedly arrested in another fraud case in Uttar Pradesh, where he and his associates were accused of running an online cheating racket.

The case has triggered political ripples in the region, with opposition parties demanding strict action and accountability. Police officials have indicated that further investigation is underway to determine whether more people were involved in the alleged scam and if similar frauds were carried out elsewhere.

Authorities have assured that no one will be spared, irrespective of political affiliation, and that the case will be pursued strictly in accordance with the law.