Bhubaneswar, July 22: Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday apprehended a Principal of Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya (OAV) for taking bribe in Kalahandi district.

Accused Sitakanta Rana, Principal of Th. Rampur Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya was caught red handed by the anti-graft officials while demanding and taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a functionary of an SHG for facilitating release of pending bills for three months in the current year 2026-27 towards cleaning works.

For last a few days, the complainant had been requesting accused Rana for clearing the pending bills but Rana was demanding bribe Rs 10,000 to clear the pending bills.

Unable to pay the demanded bribe, the complainant reported the matter to vigilance authorities alleging harassment by Rana.

Accordingly, a team of Odisha Vigilance nabbed Rana while he was taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant. The entire bribe money has been recovered from the possession of accused Rana and seized.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches are underway at two locations linked to Rana on possible possession of dipropionate assets.

A case was also registered at Koraput Vigilance PS under section of 7PC (Amendment) Act, 2028 against the accused Principal. Further investigation underway.