Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested the Deputy Collector in Keonjhar district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.
The accused has been identified as Sarat Kumar Giri, OAS -A (SB),. LA(General) and Competent Authority for Land Acquisition in Collectorate, Keonjhar.
Giri has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance in his office while demanding and taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a Complainant for disbursing the compensation amount of his land acquired for NHAI. The entire tainted bribe money has been recovered from the possession of the accused and seized.
Following the successful trap, simultaneous searches are going on at three places linked to Giri from the DA angle.
In this connection, Balasore Vigilance PS Case No. 1/2025 under section 7PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered. The investigation is in progress against the accused.
The District Judge’s Court in Keonjhar ordered the payment of Rs 6,96,696/- in compensation to be deposited in the joint account of the complainant and his brothers on 14th September 2024.
The complainant visited the office of Deputy Collector Sri Sarat Kumar Giri 5-6 times, requesting the transfer of the compensation amount to their joint account.
Deputy Collector Giri initially demanded a 10% commission to transfer the amount. After the complainant cited his poor condition, the bribe amount was reduced to Rs 50,000/-.
The complainant approached Vigilance authorities, leading to the arrest of Deputy Collector Giri while accepting the bribe of Rs 50,000.
Following the arrest, simultaneous searches are being conducted at three locations linked to Giri, and an investigation is in progress.
