Rayagada, August 13: In a swift operation, Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday apprehended Sri Kunja Bihari Rout, a Male Health Worker (MHW) cum Clerk posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Muniguda, Rayagada district, while accepting a bribe of ₹3,000 from a complainant in exchange for issuing a birth certificate.
According to Vigilance officials, Rout had demanded a total bribe of ₹6,000 from a poor farmer for processing the birth certificate of his son. The complainant had already paid ₹3,000 earlier, but Rout allegedly continued to insist on the remaining amount. Left with no alternative, the complainant approached the Vigilance department, alleging harassment and bribery.
Acting on the complaint, a Vigilance team laid a trap and caught Rout red-handed in his office while accepting the second installment of ₹3,000. The entire tainted money was recovered from his possession and seized.
Following the arrest, simultaneous searches are underway at two of Rout’s premises to investigate any disproportionate assets. A case has been registered against him under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, at the Koraput Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 27/2025).
Investigation is ongoing. Further details are awaited.
