Barpali (Bargarh), Nov 3: The Odisha Vigilance team today caught two employees of the Community Health Centre (CHC), Barpali Accountant Sekhar Chandra Sahu and Peon Tamanna Sahu for demanding and accepting a ₹7,000 bribe through UPI (PhonePe) from a health worker.
The complainant, a Multi-Purpose Male Health Worker (MPMHW), had repeatedly asked the Accountant to process his file for increment, MACP, and arrear salary over the past three months. Instead, Sahu and Tamanna allegedly demanded ₹7,000 to clear the dues.
When Sahu refused to process the arrear salary without payment, the complainant reported the matter to the Vigilance Department. Acting swiftly, the Vigilance team laid a trap and caught both officials red-handed while receiving the bribe.
Since the complainant’s first PhonePe transfer to Sahu failed, he sent the bribe amount to Tamanna Sahu’s account. The Vigilance team immediately arrested both and seized their mobile phones.
Investigators believe the duo took bribes from several other promoted MPMHWs, and they are verifying those allegations. The Vigilance team has also launched searches at three properties linked to Accountant Sahu to check for disproportionate assets (DA).
Officials registered Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No.22 dated 02.11.2025 under Section 7/12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation continues against both accused employees of CHC Barpali.
