Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: Bhubaneswar Vigilance officials have arrested IIS Bijay Kumar Barik, a CRRI Station officer with the Commissionerate Police, for allegedly collecting monthly bribes from liquor businessmen. Barik was caught red-handed while accepting ₹40,000 from a businessman at Rajmahal Chowk.

The Vigilance team seized the cash and arrested Barik, who was later produced before the Bhubaneswar Special Vigilance Court. His bail was denied, and he has been sent to Jharpada Jail.

Investigations revealed that Barik, who has been serving at the CRRI police station since 2024, had accumulated significant assets during his tenure. Raids conducted at his government quarters near Bhubaneswar 1 Number Hat, his Derabish residence, and his Shishupalgarh property uncovered cash worth ₹5 lakh, a three-storey special room, a two-storey house, and ten expensive wristwatches estimated to be worth over ₹5 lakh.

Barik began his police career in September 2012 as a Sub-Inspector with a salary of ₹21,000. Within 13 years, he reportedly purchased land and constructed luxury residences, and had also acquired a car under another person’s name.

Sources said that in Vidyadharapur, a licensed liquor businessman was paying a monthly bribe of ₹30,000 to the station. Barik allegedly demanded ₹40,000 instead, and also asked for additional payments for meals, festival expenses, and luxury items. When the businessman approached the Vigilance Department for help, the team caught Barik in the act of taking the bribe.

Last year, the Vigilance Department had arrested 16 officers from various districts for taking bribes, highlighting the growing concern over corruption among police personnel.