Odisha Vigilance Directorate Nabs Four Officials in Bribery Crackdown

Government Officials Arrested in Bribery Operations

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move against corruption, the Odisha Vigilance Directorate apprehended four government officials involved in separate bribery incidents during three operations conducted on Wednesday.

As per reports from Vigilance sources, the individuals arrested include two health workers from the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) office in Paralakhemundi, another health staff member from the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Muniguda, Rayagada district, and a junior clerk from the Block Education Officer (BEO) office in Mahakalpara, Kendrapara district.

These officials were officially arrested on Thursday and are set to appear before the Vigilance courts.

In one of the operations, a trap was laid for clerk Jagdish Pattnaik and peon Niranjan Nayak, both from the CDMO office in Paralakhemundi. Vigilance teams conducted searches and uncovered Rs 5,19,700 from Pattnaik’s office drawer, along with Rs 1.5 lakh from his government residence in Paralakhemundi.

The cash seized is believed to be linked to bribery activities.

Pattnaik is currently under interrogation to ascertain the origins of the funds.

More information is expected to follow.