Bhubaneswar: A Block Development Officer (BDO) Santosh Kumar Sahoo posted in Kakatpur Block in Puri district has been caught red handed by Vigilance, Bhubaneswar Division for demanding and accepting illegal gratification of Rs. 18,000.
The accused BDO was taking bribe fom Subrat Kumar Barik of Astaranga village in Puri working as Junior Engineer (JE), Kakatpur Block for release of security amount of Rs. 69,000 towards execution of 13 numbers of Cement Concrete road works.
Vigilance sources said Complainant Sri Barik is working as JE in Kakatpur Block since 2013. He had executed 13 numbers of Cement Concrete road works under Kakatpur Block. After successful execution of these works, he had applied before BDO, Kakatpur for release of security amount of Rs.69,000 on October, 2017.
For this, he had approached to the BDO, Kakatpur Block several times for release of the security money, but Sri Sahoo had demanded Rs.18,000 as bribe to get his work done. Finding no other option, he reported the matter before SP, Vigilance Bhubaneswar for taking legal action.
Accordingly, a trap was laid on Saturday by vigilance team and Sahoo was caught red handed by the Vigilance in his office room at Kakatpur Block office, while demanding and accepting bribe. Residential house of Sri Sahoo located at Bhubaneswar is being searched. Sri Sahoo has been arrested and will be forwarded to the Court.
In this connection, Bhubaneswar Vigilance has registered a case slapping charges under section 7 Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and is under investigation.
