Bhubaneswar, October 5: The Odisha Vigilance on Monday apprehended the headmaster of a government upper primary school in Khordha district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from his predecessor for releasing reimbursement dues under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme.

The accused was identified as Shaikh Rayaz Alli, headmaster of a government upper primary school under Balipatna block.

According to an official Vigilance release, Alli allegedly demanded Rs 15,000 from the school’s former headmaster for releasing a cheque towards reimbursement of expenses incurred under the MDM scheme for four months, during which the school was awaiting the allotment of funds.

The former headmaster had reportedly been relieved from the school before the funds were allotted. He later requested Alli to release the reimbursement amount through a cheque in accordance with government guidelines.

Following the alleged demand for a bribe, the complainant approached the Odisha Vigilance authorities. Acting on the complaint, a Vigilance team laid a trap and apprehended Alli while he was allegedly accepting the bribe on Monday.

The entire tainted cash of Rs 15,000 was recovered from his possession and seized, the Vigilance said.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches were also being conducted at two locations linked to Alli as part of an investigation into a possible disproportionate assets (DA) angle.

A case has been registered at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The case has been registered, on September 3, 2026.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, the Vigilance said.