ORS officer apprehended by Odisha Vigilance while accepting Rs 30,000 bribe

Odisha Vigilance on Friday apprehended an Additional Tehasildar of Binjharpur Tahasil in Jajpur district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 in connection with the demarcation of lease land.  The accused has been identified as Pradipta Kumar Sethi, an Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officer, currently serving as Additional Tehasildar-cum-In-Charge Tahasildar of Binjharpur. 

According to Vigilance sources, Sethi had allegedly demanded the bribe from a lessee for favourable demarcation of his lease land, despite a direction from the Orissa High Court to carry out the demarcation.

Officials said the lessee had approached the High Court in 2021, following which the then Tehasildar was ordered to demarcate the land. However, even after repeated requests, the work was allegedly delayed, with Sethi demanding illegal gratification to process the demarcation and extend undue favour.

After the complainant reported the matter to the vigilance authorities, a trap was laid on December 19. Sethi was caught red-handed behind the Laxminarayan Medicine Store at Binjharpur while accepting the bribe amount. The entire Rs 30,000 was recovered from his possession in the presence of witnesses.

Chemical examination of the accused’s right-hand wash and pant pocket wash yielded positive results, confirming his involvement in handling the bribe money. Following the arrest, vigilance teams conducted simultaneous searches at Sethi’s rented residence in Binjharpur, his house at Dadhipur village under Mahakalpada police limits in Kendrapara district, and his office chamber.

Also Read: KISS student murder: IMA questions violation of medical protocols

Sethi has been arrested and will be produced before the Court. In this connection, Cuttack Vigilance Police Station has registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation is underway.