Bhubaneswar: Nilamani Panigrahi, Junior Engineer (JE) serving at Puri Municipality in Odisha’s Puri district has been caught red handed by the officers of Vigilance, Bhubaneswar Division on Monday for demanding and accepting illegal gratification of Rs. 20,000.
The accused was nabbed while he was taking bribe from Purnendu Kumar Sarangi of Baseli Sahi village of the aforesaid district for preparation of the part running bills of Rs. 8,00,000 in respect of the work executed by the complainant.
Vigilance sources said, complainant Shri Sarangi, who is working as a contractor, has executed constructional work of Nua Sahi and Behera Sahi drain under Puri Municipality.
The accused JE had demanded bribe of Rs. 20,000 from the complainant for preparation of the bill. Finding no other option, the complainant reported the matter before SP, Vigilance for taking legal action.
Accordingly, a trap was laid on Monday and the accused JE was caught red handed by the Vigilance officers at the Varandah of his residential quarter at Puri, while demanding and accepting bribe.
The bribe money of Rs. 20,000 has been recovered from the possession of Sri Panigrahi and seized in presence of witnesses.
The residential house of Sri Panigrahi located at Sibananda Nagar, Jajpur Road is being searched. Sri Panigrahi has been arrested and will be forwarded to the Court.
A case has been registered in this connection by the Vigilance slapping charges under section 7 Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against the accused. Investigation is on, Vigilance official informed.