Sundargarh, Sept 20: Odisha Vigilance on Saturday apprehended a staffer of Rukura Irrigation Project in Bonai area of Sundargarh district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 7,000 from a tribal land loser.

The accused has been identified as Prithviraj Kamila, Clerk-cum-Cashier at the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Office, Rukura Irrigation Project.

As per reports, the land loser had been requesting Kamila for six months to process his file for the release of land acquisition money amounting to Rs 2.07 lakh. Kamila initially demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000, of which Rs 10,000 had already been paid.

Despite receiving the partial payment, Kamila insisted on the remaining amount. When the land loser explained he could not pay, Kamila lowered the bribe demand to Rs 7,000.

Left out with no other option, the complainant reported the matter to Vigilance authorities. Acting on the complaint, the authorities laid a trap and nabbed Kamila red-handed while accepting the bribe.

The entire bribe amount of Rs 7,000 has been recovered from his possession and seized.

Following the apprehension, the anti-corruption officials launched searches at four locations linked to Kamila to investigate potential disproportionate assets.

A case has been registered against Kamila under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway.