In a dramatic operation Wednesday evening, Odisha Vigilance apprehended Sujit Kumar Mohanta, Sub-Inspector of Police at Mahulpali Police Station in Sambalpur, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 to finalise a miscellaneous case.
Mohanta, the investigating officer in the case registered against the complainant, had summoned the individual to a secluded spot outside the police station. After accepting the bribe money, he spotted the approaching Vigilance team and fled the scene in an attempt to evade arrest.
A hot pursuit followed on the street. Seeing the team closing in, the SI jumped into a nearby pond. A Vigilance official immediately followed, swimming after him and successfully apprehending the officer in the water. The entire bribe amount was recovered from his possession.
Following the trap, searches were conducted from a disproportionate assets angle. Officials recovered an additional ₹1,55,700 from Mohanta’s rest room within the police station premises.
Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station has registered Case No. 21/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. Investigation is continuing.
Mohanta had joined the Odisha Police in 2021 through direct recruitment as a Sub-Inspector.
