Gautam Goswami, former chief administrator of state capital Patna, gave himself up to a magistrate and was remanded in custody for seven days, officials said.

He surrendered a day after his bail plea was rejected by the Patna High Court in his absence.

The former officer of the prestigious Indian Administrative Services is accused of siphoning off 170 million rupees (four million dollars) meant to rehabilitate victims and provide relief during floods which claimed more than 800 lives in Bihar last year.

Millions were left homeless by the floods in the state.

The Bihar administration came under fire from victims and groups fighting on their behalf about its distribution of flood relief. Five people were killed when police opened fire on protesters.

After the allegations became public, Goswami defended himself at a press conference and described his conduct as "blameless."

Last October Time magazine cited Goswami for his "brilliant work" over the years, particularly in coordinating flood relief and rescue operations.

"Goswami's reputation for upholding the law improves the image of a civil service perceived by many Indians as corrupt or inefficient," the magazine said in its report which listed him alongside Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.