Odisha Vigilance nabs CT & GST officer while taking Rs 12,000 bribe

In yet another successful anti-corruption operation, the Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday apprehended Umakanta Mahakur, Assistant CT & GST Officer of Titlagarh in Bolangir district, while accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000 from a local businessman.

According to Vigilance officials, the complainant had not paid professional tax for three consecutive financial years, amounting to Rs 7,500 (Rs 2,500 per year). For the non-payment, he was served with a notice by the accused officer to deposit Rs 23,600, including the tax amount, fine, and interest.

When the businessman approached Mahakur, requesting that only the tax amount be accepted, the officer allegedly refused and demanded Rs 12,000 as a bribe to waive off the fine and interest component. Unwilling to pay the illegal demand, the businessman lodged a complaint with the Odisha Vigilance.

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Acting swiftly, a team of Vigilance officials laid a trap and caught Mahakur red-handed while accepting the bribe money. The entire tainted amount of Rs 12,000 was recovered from his possession and seized in the presence of witnesses.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches are being conducted at various locations linked to the accused from a Disproportionate Assets (DA) angle.

A case has been registered under Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station Case No. 21/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigation is currently underway.