Balasore, May 27: In a major anti-corruption crackdown, Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday apprehended Champua ACSO Dhumaram Murmu while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 in connection with paddy procurement in Keonjhar district.
According to Vigilance officials, Murmu, serving as Assistant Civil Supplies Officer (ACSO), Champua, was caught red-handed inside his office while taking the bribe from a local LAMPCS in-charge. The accused officer had allegedly demanded the money in connection with paddy procurement carried out during the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS).
Sources said Murmu was also allegedly demanding bribes from other paddy procurement centres in the area. Vigilance officials recovered and seized the entire bribe amount of Rs 15,000 from his possession during the trap operation.
Following the successful trap, simultaneous searches were launched at locations linked to the accused officer to ascertain possible disproportionate assets and further evidence.
In this connection, Balasore Vigilance Police Station Case No. 08/2026 has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation into the case is underway.
