The Supreme Court of India, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, has decided to investigate the Bihar police's claim that rats destroyed cash seized in a corruption case. The court expressed surprise at the explanation and raised concerns about the management of evidence in police malkhanas (evidence rooms), indicating that such lapses could result in significant revenue loss for the state. The issue came to light during a bail hearing for a former child development programme officer convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The officer's conviction was based on evidence that included ₹10,000 in bribe money, which was reportedly destroyed by rodents while in police custody. The Supreme Court noted that the absence of this crucial evidence warranted a review of the case and emphasized the need for a broader inquiry into evidence preservation practices in Bihar. This situation raises serious questions about the integrity of criminal trials and the safeguarding of public funds in the state.