Jharkhand News: Former IAS Vinay Choubey Faces Multiple Corruption Cases in Jharkhand

Ranchi, September 26, 2025: Once considered among the most influential officers in the Jharkhand bureaucracy, IAS officer Vinay Kumar Choubey is now facing a series of corruption cases. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Jharkhand has intensified its probe, and multiple irregularities from his tenure in key administrative positions have surfaced.

ACB Probe Expands Beyond IAS Vinay Choubey

The ongoing ACB investigation has not only put Vinay Choubey under scrutiny but has also linked several other individuals to alleged financial irregularities. Officials associated with him during his postings have come under the scanner as more discrepancies are being uncovered.

Illegal Transfer of Government Land in Hazaribagh

One of the most significant cases against the former IAS officer involves the illegal transfer of government land classified as Deemed Forest in Hazaribagh. According to the investigation, this land, which falls under protected forest as per Supreme Court and High Court orders, was allegedly transferred illegally to private individuals.

The land was shown in the name of Vinay Kumar Singh and his wife, Snigdha Singh, during the period when Vinay Choubey served as Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribagh. The ACB has confirmed Singh’s involvement in the scam, and he has been arrested. A fresh FIR has also been lodged against Choubey in connection with this land scam.

Hazaribagh Trust Land Scam: Allotment to Private Individuals

Another case of alleged corruption relates to 2.75 acres of khasmahal land in Hazaribagh, originally leased to a trust in 1948 for 30 years. Though the lease was renewed till 2008, between 2008 and 2010, the land was declared as government property through alleged administrative manipulation.

Investigators claim that during this period, then Deputy Commissioner Vinay Choubey, in alleged collusion with khasmahal officials, deliberately removed the word “Sewayat” from renewal applications to portray the trust’s land as state-owned property. This enabled the illegal allotment of land to 23 private individuals, causing huge losses to the government.

Liquor Scam and Loss of ₹38 Crore to State Treasury

Apart from land scams, Choubey’s name has also surfaced in the Jharkhand liquor scam, where the state treasury reportedly suffered losses of around ₹38 crore.

According to government sources, Choubey allegedly violated norms in selecting placement agencies for liquor sales, misusing his official position for financial gain. He was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on May 20, though he was later granted bail in this case.

Series of Corruption Cases Against Former IAS Officer

In the last two years, multiple FIRs have been registered against Vinay Kumar Choubey for irregularities related to land allocation, forest land transfer, and excise revenue management. Once regarded as a powerful bureaucrat, his fall from grace highlights the scale of corruption allegations in Jharkhand’s administrative system.