From correspondents in Bihar, India, 12:01 PM IST

An official of the Bihar government was found dead in mysterious circumstances at his rented house in Sheikhpura district, the police said Monday.

Arvind Kumar Mishra, Block Development Officer of Ariari block in the district, about 150 km from here, was found dead Sunday. Mishra, a 42nd batch officer of the Bihar Administration Service (BAS), was living alone in the house.

The police is investigating the case. Sheikhpura Superintendent of Police Indranand Mishra said prima facie, it appeared to be a murder.

The dead officer was reportedly under stress for some time as he was preparing a report on a case relating to alleged irregularities in appointment of teachers at panchayat level and some other corruption cases.

Acting Home Secretary Amir Subhani said the district police have been asked to probe the case thoroughly.

The mysterious death of their colleague has stunned the Bihar Administration Service Association (BASA).

BASA said it was the second such case in Ariari block. Nearly two years ago, the then BDO Ashok Raj Vatsa was allegedly killed in the same condition.

BASA president Arun Chandra Mishra said they had been demanding proper security from the government for the field officers engaged in supervision and implementation of government-sponsored development schemes in the rural areas.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)