Odisha doctor caught while 'accepting bribe' to provide favourable post-mortem report

In a major crackdown on corruption in the healthcare system, Odisha Vigilance on Monday apprehended Dr. Siba Prasad Sethi, Medical Officer of Community Health Centre (CHC), Kujang, in Jagatsinghpur district, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 for issuing a favourable post-mortem report.

According to official sources, Dr. Sethi had conducted the autopsy of a woman who reportedly died of food poisoning. The complainant, husband of the deceased, was seeking an early release of the post-mortem report to process insurance claims. 

However, as the death had occurred within seven years of marriage, Dr. Sethi allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 to furnish the report early and in favourable terms.

Finding no alternative, the complainant approached Odisha Vigilance, which laid a trap. Dr. Sethi was allegedly caught red-handed at his clinic in Cuttack while accepting the bribe through his receptionist, identified as Surya Narayan Choudhury. 

The entire bribe amount was recovered and seized during the operation.

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Simultaneous searches are underway at five locations linked to Dr. Sethi to investigate disproportionate assets.

A case under Section 7 of the PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered at Cuttack Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 19/2025). Further investigation is ongoing.