Odisha Vigilance conducted simultaneous operations across Sambalpur, Nayagarh, and Mayurbhanj, resulting in the arrest of three government officials on charges of bribery and embezzlement.
In Sambalpur, Aswini Kumar Panda, OAS, Tahasildar of Bamra, was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a complainant for converting agricultural land to homestead land in a mutation case. The bribe was allegedly routed through his office driver, P. Praveen Kumar, who has also been detained. The entire amount was recovered and seized. Searches are underway at three locations linked to Panda. A case has been registered under Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No.17/2025.
In Nayagarh, Chittaranjan Rout, District Labour Officer, was apprehended while accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000 for issuing labour cards to 20 poor labourers. The complainant had faced nearly a year of delay due to Rout’s alleged demand. The tainted money was recovered, and searches are ongoing at multiple premises. Rout was already under the vigilance radar for similar allegations. The case is registered under Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS Case No.19/2025.
In Mayurbhanj, Miss Puspita Mahakud, former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Luhasila GP, was nabbed for embezzling Rs 5.68 lakh meant for old age pension distribution to senior citizens. She is currently attached to the office of the Sub-Collector, Rairangpur. Investigations are underway to trace the misappropriated funds and determine the extent of the fraud.
These arrests mark a significant step in Odisha Vigilance’s intensified efforts to root out corruption from public service and restore accountability in governance.
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