Sundargarda, August 30: Vigilance sleuths arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) and his associate while demanding and taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 from an eatery owner in Sundargada district late last evening.

According to the Vigilance, the accused du0 has been identified as Madan Mohan Pradhan attached to Lahunipada police station of Sundargarda and his associate Mandeep Kumar Dasmodak, a private person.

They have been apprehended while demanding and taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 from an eatery owner not to arrest him and to help him in an excise case registered against him as well as his younger brother.

It was alleged that ASI Pradhan threatened to arrest the eatery owner and forward him to court if he fails the pay Rs 20,000.

Unable to meet the undue demand, the eatery owner reported the matter to vigilance authorities.

Accordingly, a trap was laid by the Vigilance late last evening and nabbed ASI Pradhan and his close associate Dasmodak while taking bribe Rs 20,000 from the complainant. The entire bribe money Rs 20,000 has been recovered from their possession and seized.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches were underway at three locations linked to Pradhan, ASI to investigate possible possession of disproportionate assets.

A case has also been registered at the Rourkela Vigilance police station under P.C. (Amendment) Act,2018.