PATNA, June 13 -- Bihar's revenue and land reforms department has suspended and penalised nearly 50 revenue officials and staff in the last one month for various irregularities, including bribery, manipulation of land records and inordinate delays in settling cases, officials said on Saturday. They added that the action is part of a statewide crackdown on corruption in land-related services.

Among those punished, 18 circle officers have been suspended, and departmental proceedings have been initiated against them. In one prominent case, former circle inspector Santu Kumar Ram of Ratni Faridpur had his pension cut by 100% after vigilance sleuths caught him accepting a bribe red-handed. Similarly in Rohtas, former circle officer Seema Rani...