Odisha Vigilance arrests power lineman and education office assistant for bribe taking

Odisha Vigilance officials conducted two separate sting operations in the state. In Cuttack district, a power lineman of the TPCODL, identified as Dharma Niranjan Chaudhury, was caught demanding a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a farmer for the replacement of a damaged electric pole. The entire amount was recovered and a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with searches launched for disproportionate assets.

In Bhadrak district, junior assistant Srikanta Kumar Dash of the District Education Officer office was trapped while accepting Rs 10,000 from a private school functionary seeking a recognition certificate. The cash was seized, asset searches were carried out at multiple locations, and a case was also filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both investigations remain ongoing.