OPSC OAS topper Aswini Kumar Panda suspended after Vigilance arrest in bribery row

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Odisha government has suspended former Bamara Tahsildar Aswini Kumar Panda, who was recently caught in a vigilance trap. The suspension comes after Panda, an OAS officer currently in jail, was apprehended by the Vigilance authorities on September 12.

Due to his prolonged detention in jail for more than 48 hours, the concerned department has now placed him under suspension which is said to be in accordance with the law. As per the suspension order, Panda will not be allowed to leave the Sambalpur district headquarters without the prior approval of the District Collector.

“Whereas Sambalpur Vigilance P.S. Case No. 17 dated 11.09.2025 against Aswini Kumar Panda, OAS-A(JB), ex-Tahasildar, Bamra Tahasil, Dist- Sambalpur in respect of Criminal Offence is under investigation, and whereas, the said Panda was arrested on 12.09.2025 and detained in jail custody for a period exceeding forty-eight hours,” the office order read.

“Now, therefore, Panda is deemed to have been suspended with effect from the date of detention i.e. dated 12.09.2025 in terms of Sub-Rule (2) of Rule-12 of the OCS (CC&A) Rules, 1962, and shall remain under suspension until further orders,” the official order read further.

Panda was initially caught on March 11 allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 while processing land mutation and record changes. The vigilance raid revealed irregularities in land patta mutation and other official documents.

A 2019 batch OAS officer, Panda had topped his batch and held several key administrative positions in the district. The suspension remains in force until further orders from the department.

Also Read: Odisha OPSC Civil Services topper Aswini Kumar Panda caught taking Rs 15000 bribe

The development has once again highlighted ongoing vigilance operations targeting corruption in the revenue administration.