TV
A Sub-Inspector (SI) of Bijepur Police Station in Bargarh district was caught red-handed by Odisha Vigilance on Monday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 7,000 from a local scrap dealer.
The SI, identified as Jagaa Bariha, had allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 from the complainant as part of a monthly ‘settlement’ to allow him to run his scrap business without harassment.
When the trader expressed his inability to pay the full amount, the SI reportedly reduced the demand to Rs 7,000 but threatened to take strict action if the money was not paid.
Acting on the complaint, Vigilance officials laid a trap and apprehended Bariha at his rented residence in Bijepur while accepting the bribe. The entire bribe amount was recovered from his possession in the presence of witnesses. Hand-wash tests confirmed traces of the bribe money.
Following the arrest, simultaneous searches were conducted at Bariha’s residences in Bijepur and his native village Ratakhandi in Bolangir, as well as at his office chamber.
The Odisha Police SI was later taken into custody and forwarded to court.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 at the Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station, and further investigation is underway, informed Odisha Vigilance.
