Odisha Vigilance apprehended a Panchayat Executive Officer in Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday while he was allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 18,000 from a contractual staffer.
The accused, identified as Parsuram Naik, PEO of Mirginendi Gram Panchayat under Karanjia block, was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe to process arrear remuneration files. The staffer had not received his dues between March 2023 and April 2025 despite orders from the Block Development Officer. Naik allegedly threatened to withhold payment unless the bribe was paid.
Finding no alternative, the staffer approached Vigilance authorities, who laid a trap. Officials recovered the entire bribe amount from Naik’s possession and seized it as evidence.
Simultaneous searches are being conducted at two locations linked to Naik to examine disproportionate assets. Vigilance registered Balasore Vigilance PS Case No. 7/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Investigators said the probe will cover both the bribery incident and Naik’s financial records.
