Dhanbad : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch, Dhanbad, has registered a regular case against Shri Prabhat Ranjan, a Postal Assistant (Lower Selection Grade) posted at the Centralized Delivery Office (CDO) of Dhanbad Head Post Office, for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The case — RC 01(A)/2026-D — has been registered under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (corresponding to Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) of the amended Act of 2018). The CBI has alleged that during the check period from January 1, 2015 to February 13, 2025, Prabhat Ranjan “intentionally enriched himself illicitly” and acquired movable and immovable assets worth ₹91,36,830.07, which is 121.06% more than his known sources of income.
According to the FIR, Prabhat Ranjan joined the Department of Posts as a Postman on July 18, 1987, at Dhanbad Head Post Office. He was promoted to Postal Assistant on March 4, 1996, and later to Lower Selection Grade (LSG) Postal Assistant. Over the years, he served at various post offices under Dhanbad Division, including Dhanbad HO, BCCL Township Sub Post Office, and Dhanbad Bazar Sub Post Office, before being posted to the Centralized Delivery Office in February 2025.
The FIR states that during the 10-year check period, Prabhat Ranjan’s total income from all known sources — salary from the Postal Department, house rent, and income earned by his elder son — stood at approximately ₹75,47,353. His total expenditure during the same period was approximately ₹71,16,947, leaving a likely saving of only ₹4,30,406.However, the value of assets held by him and his family members at the end of the check period (February 13, 2025) was ₹96,73,794, while assets at the beginning of the check period (January 1, 2015) were only ₹1,06,557.93.
This resulted in assets acquired during the check period amounting to ₹95,67,236.07 — far exceeding his legitimate savings and leading to the disproportionate assets figure of ₹91,36,830.07.The CBI has claimed that these assets, which include plots of land, bank balances, Post Office deposits, vehicles, and other properties in and around Dhanbad, cannot be satisfactorily accounted for by the accused.
Family Background
Prabhat Ranjan is the son of Late Parmeshwar Sharma. His permanent address is Village + PO Yadavpur, near Branch Post Office Yadavpur, PS Barwadda, District Dhanbad. He currently resides at Quarter No. II/37, Jagjiwan Nagar, PO Jagjiwan Nagar, PS Saraidhela, Dhanbad. He was married to Late Nirmala Devi (who passed away in 2019). The couple has two sons:
- Elder son Akash Ranjan, who has been working at HURL Company, Sindri, Dhanbad since April 2022.
- Younger son Vikash Ranjan, who is pursuing Civil Engineering at an engineering college in Dehradun.
The FIR notes that the information leading to the case was received from a “reliable source” and not from a named complainant.
Legal Proceedings
CBI Superintendent of Police and Head of Branch Bhanwar Lal Meena has forwarded the original FIR to the Hon’ble Special Judge, CBI Cases, Dhanbad, for necessary action. Copies have also been sent to the Assistant Director (Vigilance), Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Jharkhand Circle, Ranchi, and the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Dhanbad Division, for information.
The investigation of the case has been entrusted to Inspector Raghunath Kumar, CBI ACB Dhanbad. The SP has also issued orders under Sections 17 and 18 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, authorizing the Investigating Officer to obtain certified copies of bank accounts and other relevant documents of the accused and any other persons connected to the case.
This is the latest in a series of cases being pursued by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in the Dhanbad region against public servants allegedly involved in corrupt practices. Further investigation is underway.
