The Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of suspended IAS officer Vinay Kumar Choubey in a vigilance case related to alleged illegal land mutation and corruption.
The case relates to Forest Department land, for which the Hazaribagh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered an FIR. It alleged that Choubey, while serving as Deputy Commissioner, misused his official position to get gairmazurwa (forest) land mutated in favour of private individuals, including Binay Kumar Singh and Snigdha Singh, whom he had known for several years.
Statements recorded during the investigation, including that of then Circle Officer Alka Kumari, said the mutation was carried out under pressure and directions from the petitioner, despite objections that the land was forest land and not eligible for mutation.
The investigation also found that the vendor of the land was not the recorded owner, raising serious concerns over the legality of the mutation process.
The court noted that such a mutation should not have been allowed under normal procedure. During the hearing on April 23, the ACB submitted that the accused's role in the matter remained suspicious and that further investigation was still required.
Opposing the bail plea, the ACB argued that several co-accused officials had acted under the petitioner's directions and there was a possibility that he could influence witnesses if released.
Taking note of the materials on record and statements in the case diary, the court held that there was a reasonable apprehension of witness influence.
Choubey has been in custody since November 11, 2025, in connection with the case registered in Hazaribagh. The charges include offences under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
