Patna, Feb 5 : Nidhi Jha, accused of involvement in the multi-million-rupee Bihar flood relief scam of 2005, surrendered before a special court here Tuesday after evading arrest for nearly two years.

She surrendered before the Special Vigilance Court and was sent to judicial custody for two days, court officials said.

Jha is accused of misusing public funds and causing other financial irregularities in the relief work during the floods in north Bihar in 2004.

Last year, the court issued warrants for her non-bailable arrest and attachment of her property after she failed to appear before it despite issuance of proclamation notice.

She is considered a close associate of Santosh Kumar Jha, a relief material supplier and alleged kingpin behind the swindling of over Rs.175 million meant for flood relief.

The scam hit headlines in 2005 after the name of former Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, figured in the irregularities.

Goswami, named that year as Time magazine's Asian Hero for his exemplary service, has strongly denied the charge.

A first information report (FIR) was filed against Goswami and 27 others May 28, 2005.

(IANS)