Kendrapara, Odisha: Odisha Vigilance today apprehended Sri Dhirendra Mohanty, Secretary of Mahu Co-operative Society, Aul, while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a loanee farmer. The incident occurred at Mohanty’s office while he was handing over a loan passbook and cheque book for an agricultural loan already sanctioned in favor of the complainant and his father.
The farmer and his father had been granted an agricultural loan of Rs 75,000 on 12.08.2025. Despite repeated requests, Mohanty delayed providing the loan documents without any valid reason. Allegedly, he initially demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000. The complainant, being a poor farmer, expressed his inability to pay the demanded amount.
After negotiation, Mohanty reduced the bribe demand to Rs 10,000 and threatened that the documents would not be handed over unless the bribe was paid by 20.08.2025. Left with no option, the complainant approached Vigilance authorities, citing harassment and corruption.
Acting promptly, Odisha Vigilance officers conducted a trap and nabbed Mohanty while he was accepting the Rs 10,000 bribe. The entire tainted money was recovered and seized from his possession.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are underway at two locations linked to Mohanty in connection with disproportionate assets (DA) allegations.
In this connection, Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No.23 dated 19.08.2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, has been registered against the accused. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to follow.
