Dr. Siba Prasad Sethi, a Medical Officer at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kujang, Jagatsinghpur, and his associate, Surya Narayan Choudhury, were apprehended by the Odisha Vigilance in a sting operation at Dr. Sethi’s clinic in Cuttack.
At around 9 PM on July 7, the duo was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant seeking a favourable post-mortem report for his deceased wife. The complainant, whose wife reportedly died due to food poisoning, approached Dr. Sethi to expedite the release of the post-mortem report required for an insurance claim. As the death occurred within seven years of marriage, Dr. Sethi allegedly demanded the bribe to ensure a favourable report without delay. Unable to meet the demand through legitimate means, the complainant alerted the Odisha Vigilance, which swiftly organized a trap.
The Vigilance team nabbed Dr. Sethi and his receptionist, Choudhury, during the transaction at the Cuttack clinic. The entire bribe amount of ₹10,000 was recovered and seized. Following the arrest, authorities initiated simultaneous searches at five locations linked to Dr. Sethi to investigate potential disproportionate assets, indicating a deeper probe into his financial dealings.
A case has been registered under Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No. 19/2025, citing Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is ongoing, with officials promising a detailed report soon.
As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits further details on the extent of Dr. Sethi’s alleged misconduct and the potential involvement of others.
