Bhubaneswar, August 17: An Assistant Surgeon posted at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar was apprehended by the Odisha Vigilance while allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a functionary of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) engaged in assisting unknown and destitute patients receiving treatment at the hospital.

According to the Odisha Vigilance, Dr. Satyajit Behera, Assistant Surgeon, allegedly demanded the bribe from the NGO functionary for signing work certificates of employees engaged by the organisation. The certificates were required for processing and drawing the employees’ salaries for June and July 2026.

The NGO had reportedly been engaged by Capital Hospital to assist unknown and destitute patients visiting the casualty department for treatment. The functionary of the NGO had allegedly been approaching Dr. Behera since June for the necessary work certificates.

However, instead of signing the certificates, Dr. Behera allegedly demanded ₹30,000 from the complainant for facilitating the process. Following the alleged demand and harassment, the NGO functionary approached the Odisha Vigilance authorities and reported the matter.

Acting on the complaint, a Vigilance team laid a trap on Monday and allegedly caught Dr. Behera while he was accepting ₹30,000 from the complainant. The tainted bribe money of ₹30,000 was recovered and seized from the possession of the accused doctor.

Following the trap, the Odisha Vigilance also initiated simultaneous searches at three locations linked to Dr. Behera as part of a disproportionate-assets (DA) angle.

In connection with the case, a case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

The Odisha Vigilance has stated that the investigation is underway against Dr. Satyajit Behera in connection with the alleged bribery offence.