Dr Sumanta Kumar Patel, Medical Officer of Community Health Centre (CHC) Kaniha in Angul district, was apprehended by Odisha Vigilance sleuths this evening while allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 49,000.
According to official sources, the bribe was demanded in lieu of granting financial incentives to Community Health Officers (CHOs) working under the CHC. The trap was laid inside the CHC campus, and the entire tainted amount was recovered from Dr Patel’s possession and seized.
Following the successful operation, simultaneous searches are being conducted at three locations linked to the accused doctor to ascertain allegations of possession of disproportionate assets.
In connection with the incident, Cuttack Vigilance Police Station has registered Case No. 02 dated 15.01.2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is in progress, and a detailed report is awaited.
The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by Odisha Vigilance to curb corruption in the public health sector.
