Odisha Vigilance has arrested Niranjan Dhal, Executive Officer of NAC, Khandapada, Nayagarh, while he was allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe from a contractor.
The sting operation took place at his government residential quarters, where Dhal reportedly sought the bribe to facilitate bill processing for completed work and necessary measurement checks for another ongoing project.
The complainant, a contractor facing undue pressure, reported the matter to Vigilance authorities, alleging harassment by Dhal. Acting swiftly, the Vigilance team set up a trap, leading to the officer’s arrest while accepting the bribe. The entire amount has been recovered and seized.
Following the arrest, authorities launched simultaneous searches at five locations linked to Dhal to probe possible disproportionate assets (DA). Officials are combing through financial records, property holdings, and other assets tied to the accused officer.
The case has been officially registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 at Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 08/2025). Investigators are gathering evidence, and further legal proceedings will follow based on the findings.
As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding Dhal’s financial dealings and any potential accomplices involved in the bribery scandal.
