Odisha Vigilance officials apprehended Sri Gouranga Sahu, Forester of Bandhbahal Section under Brajrajnagar Range, Jharsuguda district, while he was demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5,000. The bribe was sought from a landowner to grant permission for cutting and transporting dry eucalyptus trees from his property.
The landowner reported the demand to the Vigilance authorities, prompting a swift operation. A team of officers caught Sahu inside the office campus as he accepted the money. Sources confirmed that the accused attempted to flee upon spotting the Vigilance team but was immediately detained.
Officials recovered the entire bribe amount from his possession and seized it as evidence. Following the trap, simultaneous searches began at two of Sahu’s locations to investigate disproportionate assets.
The Rourkela Vigilance Police Station registered Case No. 13 dated 04.12.2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. An investigation is currently underway against the accused forester.
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