Viral Video: A video of Shreya Mishra, the Circle Officer of Taraiya block in Chhapra, Bihar, has been doing rounds on social media these past few days. The video has once again fanned debates related to corruption prevalent in the government offices of the state. The video allegedly shows Mishra accepting a bundle of 500-rupee notes, thereby putting her under suspicion of financial misbehavior. However, the timing and authenticity of the video remain unclear.
Details of the Transaction
The viral video shows Mishra being given a bundle of currency notes by an unknown person. The whole video conversation between the two suggests that some work has been paid for, but details of the job aren’t specified. At one point, Mishra asks how much money is being given, to which the other person responds through gestures, indicating that it is 21—presumably 21,000 rupees. Now, there is a mention of more money and some sort of bargaining, where Mishra asks for a bit more increase in the amount that is being paid.
The one offering the money says he has paid 10,000 rupees, already speaking of 25,000 more rupees. This throws up a series of questions about the type of transaction taking place. Mishra’s response, asking for a bit more, throws up a clear case of quid-pro-quo, though exactly what remains murky.
Local Officials Remain Tight-Lipped on Bribery Allegations
When contacted for comments, the local officials have largely remained tight-lipped. The ADM Additional Collector SS Pandey refused to talk about the details and said he was on personal leave. The Madhaura Sub-Divisional Officer Dr. Prerna Singh said she was not aware of the matter. District Magistrate Aman Sameer could not be contacted for his response despite several calls to him went unanswered.
Responding to the uproar, CO Shreya Mishra claimed that this is an old video from more than two years ago and it is being circulated now just to apply undue pressure. As per Mishra, the circulation of the video has been done to malign her.
