Bhubaneswar, Sept 25: Odisha Vigilance apprehended an Executive Engineer of TPCODL for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from an electrical contractor late last night.

The accused official has been identified Tusharkant Ray, Executive Engineer (Quality), Circle-I, TPCODL.

According to officials, the contractor had approached Ray multiple times over the past two months, requesting a final inspection report for a transformer installed at an apartment building. The report was required to facilitate the supply of electricity and subsequent payment for the work completed.

However, Ray allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 to issue the report.

Left with no choice, the contractor reported the matter to Vigilance authorities. Acting swiftly, a team of Odisha Vigilance laid a trap and caught Ray red-handed while accepting the bribe in a park near his residence.

The tainted money was recovered from his possession and seized on the spot.

Following the arrest, simultaneous searches were carried out at three locations linked to the accused. During the operation, cash amounting to Rs 9,53,200 was unearthed from Ray’s residence and seized.

A detailed report in this regard is awaited.