Balangir: Tightening the noose around the neck of the corrupt officials, Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday arrested the BEO of Balangir Sadar in Balangir district while he was accepting Rs 10,000.
According to reports, Raghab Panigrahi, Block Education Officer (BEO), Bolangir, Dist-Bolangir, has been arrested by Odisha Vigilance for demanding and accepting an undue advantage (bribe) of Rs.10,000/- (Ten Thousand Rupees) from a complainant (assistant -teacher) to submit a positive inquiry report on the departmental proceedings instituted against him.
Based on the above complaint, a trap was laid on 12.10.2022 where accused Ragab Panigrahi, BEO was caught by Odisha Vigilance team at BEO office, Bolangir while demanding and accepting undue advantage (bribe) of Rs.10,000/- / – (Rupees Ten Thousand) from the appellant.
The entire amount of the bribe was seized by Panigrahi and seized in the presence of witnesses. SPanigrahi’s left wash gave a positive chemical reaction confirming the acceptance and handling of bribe money by him.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches were launched at Panigrahi’s parental house in Rajendra Pada, Bolangir town and his office room in Bolangir.
In this regard, Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No.37 dated 11.10.2022 U/s 7 PC Amendment Act, 2018 has been registered and is being investigated.
In another operation today, Bholamaheswar Dandasena, Data Entry Operator (DEO), Tahasildar Office, Khariar, Dist-Nuapada was detained by Odisha Vigilance for demanding and accepting undue advantage (bribe) of Rs.30,000/- ( thirty thousand rupees) from an applicant for processing applications for issuance of Domicile Certificates in favor of 15 persons including the applicant and his family members.
Based on the above complaint, a trap was laid on 12.10.2022 in which the accused Bholamaheswar Dandasena, DEO was caught by a team of Odisha Vigilance near the front door of the office of SE, R&B Division, Khariar while demanding and accepting undue advantage ( bribe) of Rupees 30,000/- (Rupees thirty thousand) from the appellant.
The entire bribe amount was seized from Dandasena’s possession and seized in the presence of witnesses. Washing both hands as well as washing Dandasena’s trouser pocket gave a positive chemical reaction, confirming the acceptance and handling of bribe money by him.
After the trap, a search was launched at Dandasena’s parental house at Khaira, PS-Boden, Dist-Nuapada. The accused Bholamaheswar Dandasena, a data entry operator, has been arrested and will be produced before the court. In this regard, Koraput Vigilance PS Case No.31 dated 11.10.2022 U/s 7 PC Amendment Act, 2018 has been registered and is being investigated.
In another Vigilance operation, on the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income, simultaneous searches were initiated at the properties of Gangadhar Sahoo, Junior Clerk, BEO office, Banspal, Dist-Keonjhar at 5 places in Keonjhar District: 1 ) A Three Storey Building situated at 3rd Lane, Bhalukipatala, Keonjhar. 2) Housing Govt. Quarter situated on Jail Road, Keonjhar, Dist-Keonjhar. 3) House at native village Thalapada, PS-Telkoi, Dist-Keonjhar. 4) House of his relative situated at Sarasposi, Telkoi Block, Dist-Keonjhar. 5) Office room of Sri Sahoo located at BEO office, Banspal, Dist-Keonjhar. 5 teams of Odisha Vigilance led by 3 DSPs, 5 Inspectors, 2 ASIs and other personnel conducted the search based on search warrants issued by the court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Keonjhar.
During house searches, the following movable and immovable assets worth over Rs.1.23 Crores have been recovered so far in the name of Sri Gangadhar Sahoo, Junior Clerk and his family members: 1) One three storied building situated at 3rd Lane, Bhalukipatala , Keonjhar costs Rs.90 Lakhs.
The technical wing of Vigilance is taking detailed measurements of the upper building and the estimate may be increased further. 2) 1 Plot vide No. 267/3304 at Mouza Ranki under Sadar Tahasil, Keonjhar. 3) Bank and insurance deposits worth more than Rs.14.2 Lakh. 4) 1 Quad (Maruti Ertiga Suzuki) worth Rs.9 Lakh. 5) 2 two-wheelers. 6) Cash, gold and household articles worth about Rs.3 Lakh.
Gangadhar Sahoo, Junior Clerk is being verified to ascertain the source of the assets. Further searches are ongoing. The investigation is ongoing.