TV
In a major crackdown on corruption, the Vigilance Department apprehended Amrendra Satapathy, Sub-Inspector of the Excise Department in Tangi, on Wednesday while allegedly accepting a bribe from a licensed liquor trader.
According to official sources, Satapathy had been demanding Rs 8,000 per month from the trader in exchange for allowing the smooth operation of the liquor business. He had reportedly threatened the trader with punitive action if the bribe was not paid on time.
Acting on a complaint filed by the trader, Vigilance officials laid a trap and caught Satapathy red-handed while he was allegedly accepting the bribe. Following the arrest, the bribe money was seized from his possession.
The sleuths of Odisha Vigilance also carried out simultaneous raids at three different locations linked to the accused officer, including his residence and office premises. Officials are currently examining documents and assets to trace any further evidence of corruption and disproportionate assets.
An investigation is underway, and further legal proceedings will follow based on the findings, informed sources.
In another case from Sambalpur, the Odisha Vigilance last week apprehended Bhisma Pradhan, Revenue Inspector (RI) of Goudpalli Revenue Circle under Jamankira Tahasil, while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from a landless complainant in connection with a lease case.
According to sources, Pradhan had demanded the bribe in exchange for submitting a favourable report to facilitate the issuance of Record of Rights (RoR), or land patta, in favour of the complainant and his family.
Likewise, Susmita Oram, a Junior Engineer (JE) posted at Gaisilet Block, in Bargarh district, was caught red-handed on June 10, 2025, while accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000.
Oram had joined the government service under DRDA, Bargarh, on January 10, 2024, and was working as a JE at Gaisilet Block since January 29, 2024. This was her first posting.
