By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: On Thursday, Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, Assistant Fisheries Officer( AFO), Biramaharajpur, Dist- Subarnapur has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance along with Sri Babulal Barik ( Private Person) while demanding and taking bribe Rs.30,000/- from a Woman Self Help Group for release of the second phase subsidy under “Carp Grow-out in GP tank by WSHG” scheme.
Earlier, Sri Pradhan, AFO had demanded Rs 45,000/- from the complt to release the subsidy amount in favour of their SHG. As, the complt expressed her inability to pay the huge bribe amount, Sri Pradhan reduced the bribe amount to Rs.30,000/-. Left with no option, the complainant reported the matter to Vigilance authorities. Based on this, Sri Pradhan, AFO, while taking bribe Rs 30,000/- from the complt through Sri Barik ( Private Person) was nabbed today by the Vigilance team.
The entire bribe amount Rs.30,000/- has been recovered from the possession of accused duo Sri Pradhan and Sri Barik and seized*. Both the accused persons have been detained at Sonepur Fisheries Office for further interrogation by the Vigilance officials.
Following the successful trap, simultaneous searches are going on at two locations of Sri Pradhan and one place of Sri Barik from DA angle.
In this connection, Sambalpur Vigilance P.S. Case No.10 dated 30.04.2025 under Sections 7/12PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered against the accused persons namely Sri Pradhan, AFO and Sri Babulal Barik ( Private Person). Investigation is in progress. Detailed report follows.
