Bhubaneswar, Sept 9: The Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday apprehended Biswanath Das, a Village Agriculture Worker (VAW) posted under Kishorenagar block in Angul district, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from an empanelled NGO.
According to an official release, Das—assigned to Kadalimunda, Raniakota, and Dhaurapalli gram panchayats—had demanded the bribe to countersign utilization certificates related to the distribution of seeds and pesticides to farmers. These countersignatures were required to clear bills under government schemes.
The complainant, unwilling to pay the bribe, reported the matter to the Vigilance authorities. Acting promptly, a team set up a trap and caught Das red-handed while receiving the bribe amount. The full sum of ₹20,000, treated with phenolphthalein powder, was recovered from his possession and seized in the presence of witnesses.
Following the operation, Vigilance officials launched simultaneous searches at two locations linked to Das to investigate possible disproportionate assets.
A case has been registered at the Cuttack Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 28 dated 08.09.2025) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation is currently underway.
