Sambalpur, Odisha : Odisha Vigilance arrests two staffers of the Block Education Office (BEO), Rengali, in Sambalpur district for allegedly demanding a ₹25,000 bribe and accepting ₹7,000 as the first instalment from an office official.
The arrested officials have been identified as Dusmanta Kumar Sahu, Junior Assistant, and Gopabandhu Sahu, Peon. According to vigilance sources, Junior Assistant Sahu had been regularly demanding bribes from teachers and other employees to process their legitimate dues.
In this case, the complainant alleged that the accused demanded ₹7,000 for processing his salary and an additional ₹18,000 for clearing arrears. When he pleaded for relief, the Junior Assistant insisted on an advance instalment of ₹7,000. Disturbed by the high demand, the complainant approached the Odisha Vigilance.
Based on the complaint, a trap was laid on Tuesday. The vigilance team caught both accused red-handed while accepting ₹7,000 inside the BEO office at Rengali. Officials confirmed that the entire bribe money was recovered and seized on the spot.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches were conducted at Dusmanta Sahu’s rented house in Rengali, his native residence at Manapada in Bargarh district, and the house of Peon Gopabandhu Sahu at Brahmanipali in Sambalpur district. Searches also took place at the office chamber of the Junior Assistant.
Both accused were formally arrested and will be produced before court. Odisha Vigilance has registered a case at Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station (Case No.18 dated 16.09.2025) under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Officials said further investigation is underway to trace additional assets and evidence of corrupt practices.
The arrests underline Odisha Vigilance’s continuing drive against corruption in government offices, especially in sensitive sectors like education.
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