Odisha village agriculture worker nabbed by Vigilance in Angul for accepting Rs 20,000 bribe

Odisha Vigilance officials on Tuesday apprehended a Village Agriculture Worker (VAW) in Angul district while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from an NGO representative.

The accused has been identified as Biswanath Das, posted as VAW for Kadalimunda, Raniakota, and Dhaurapalli gram panchayats under Kishorenagar block. He was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe from an empanelled NGO of the government to countersign utilisation certificates related to the distribution of seeds and pesticides to farmers.

According to Vigilance sources, Das was part of the seed and pesticide distribution group. After the distribution, when the complainant approached him for countersigning the utilization certificates, he allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 to clear the bills. Left with no option, the complainant reported the matter to Odisha Vigilance, which laid a trap and nabbed the official while taking the bribe.

The entire tainted bribe amount has been recovered and seized from Das’ possession. Following the trap, simultaneous searches are being carried out at two locations linked to him to ascertain disproportionate assets.

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In this connection, Cuttack Vigilance Police Station Case No. 28 dated 08.09.2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered. Further investigation is underway.