Brajrajnagar/Jharsuguda, Odisha : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday caught Asit Kumar, Rampur Sub-Area Manager of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 at his office in Brajrajnagar, Jharsuguda district.

According to sources, Asit Kumar had allegedly demanded ₹30,000 in exchange for revoking the suspension order of an employee working at the Rampur Dispensary. After negotiations, he agreed to accept ₹20,000 initially and the remaining ₹10,000 later. Acting on a complaint, CBI officials laid a trap and apprehended him while taking the bribe.

The operation was executed by a special team of the CBI from Rourkela, which reached Brajrajnagar in the evening and kept surveillance near the Sub-Area Manager’s office. As soon as the bribe money exchanged hands, the officials swooped in and arrested Asit Kumar.

Later, CBI officers conducted searches at his office and official quarters, verifying documents and collecting evidence related to the bribery case. The accused officer was taken into custody and is being interrogated for further details.

This action is part of CBI’s ongoing drive to curb corruption in public sector undertakings and ensure transparency in administrative processes.