Sundargada, August 3: The Odisha Vigilance on Monday arrested an Odisha Motor Vehicle Department (OMVD) Traffic Inspector for allegedly taking bribe of Rs 20,000 from a truck owner in Sundargarh district.

Accused Mukesh Kumar Mishra, posted at the Sundargada Regional Transport Office (RTO) as the OMVD Traffic Inspector, was caught red-handed while allegedly receiving the illegal gratification from the complainant.

According to Vigilance, the accused was demanding bribe from the complainant truck owner to allow his two HYVA Trucks to operate the transport business without any obstacle under his jurisdiction for last two months - June and July.

It is alleged that accused Mishra, demanded bribe of Rs 20,000 from the truck owner as monthly quota for June and July.

Unable to meet the demand, the truck owner lodged a complaint with the Vigilance department. Acting on the complaint, a Vigilance team laid a trap and apprehended the accused while he was allegedly accepting the bribe. The entire tainted amount of Rs 20,000 was recovered from his possession.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches were underway at three locations linked to Mishra to investigate possible disproportionate assets.

A case has been registered at Rourkela Vigilance police station under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. Further investigation is underway.