Odisha Vigilance trapped RWSS Senior Clerk T. Bhenkatagiri Rao in Bhawanipatna while he accepted a bribe of Rs 20,000 from retired staffer Trilochan Sabar.
Officers moved swiftly and caught him inside his government quarters.
Sabar retired on March 31, 2024, and repeatedly requested Rao to prepare his pension papers. Rao ignored the requests and demanded money instead. Aggrieved, Sabar reported the matter to Vigilance authorities. They planned a trap and supplied marked notes. Rao accepted the cash and attempted to throw it out of his window when the Vigilance team entered. Officers recovered the tainted money and seized it immediately.
The successful operation exposed corruption inside the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS&S) Division in Bhawanipatna. Vigilance registered Koraput PS Case No. 34 dated November 12, 2025, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigators confirmed that searches are underway at three locations linked to Rao to examine disproportionate assets.
The arrest shocked residents of Bhawanipatna and raised concerns about corruption in pension processing. Vigilance officials emphasised their commitment to curb bribery and urged citizens to report illegal demands. The case highlighted how vigilance traps safeguard public interest and ensure accountability in government offices.
Rao’s arrest demonstrated that corrupt practices face strict consequences. Vigilance officers reinforced their message that transparency and integrity remain essential in public service.
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