Odisha Vigilance officials today apprehended Susmita Oram, Junior Engineer, Gaisilet Block, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 from a contractor.
This amount was the final instalment of an overall demand of Rs 32,000, sought for clearing pending bills related to a road improvement project under MGNREGS.
The estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 9.5 lakh, with Rs 3.15 lakh already paid. Ms. Oram allegedly demanded 10% of the paid bill amount to process the remaining payments. A few days ago, she had received Rs 24,000 and was caught today while accepting the remaining sum.
Upon receiving a complaint from the contractor regarding harassment, Vigilance officials laid a trap and apprehended Ms. Oram red-handed. The entire bribe money has been recovered from her possession and seized.
Simultaneous searches are underway at two locations linked to the accused to investigate disproportionate assets. A case has been registered under Sambalpur Vigilance P.S. Case No. 11 dated. 09.06.2025 u/s 7PC (Amendment) Act, 2018, and further investigations are in progress.
Ms. Oram had joined government service as a Junior Engineer under DRDA, Bargarh on January 10, 2024, and was posted at Gaisilet Block on January 29, 2024—this being her first posting.
