Odisha Officials Caught in Bribery Scandal

The Odisha Vigilance department arrested two state officers for bribery. An Assistant Civil Supplies Officer and a junior engineer were caught accepting bribes in separate incidents. Raids and legal actions are being pursued under anti-corruption laws.

In a crackdown against corruption, the Odisha Vigilance Department apprehended two government officials for accepting bribes in separate incidents. The arrests took place in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts on Wednesday, according to sources.

One of the arrested, an Assistant Civil Supplies Officer from Champua in Keonjhar district, was caught demanding and taking a Rs 15,000 bribe linked to recent paddy procurement. Multiple locations related to him were searched, revealing more suspected irregularities.

Additionally, the junior engineer from the National Health Mission in Sundargarh was apprehended while collecting a Rs 5,000 bribe from a contractor. The engineer had allegedly stalled the release of the security deposit even after the contractor's work was completed. Searches were also conducted at his associated sites.

Legal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act have commenced, with separate cases filed in Balasore and Rourkela police stations. The vigilance department continued their efforts to root out corruption, emphasizing adherence to anti-corruption laws.