Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Odisha Vigilance team has arrested T. Bhenkatagiri Rao, senior clerk of RWS&S Division, Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi district, for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a retired staff member.
The accused, Rao, had reportedly demanded the bribe to process the pension papers of the complainant, who had retired on March 31, 2024. The complainant, who belonged to the same office, had approached the Vigilance authorities after Rao failed to process the file despite repeated requests.
A trap was laid, and Rao was caught red-handed taking the bribe at his government quarter in Bhawanipatna.
On seeing the Vigilance team, Rao attempted to dispose of the bribe money by throwing it out through the window of his quarter. However, the Vigilance sleuths promptly recovered the entire amount of Rs 20,000 and seized it as evidence.
Meanwhile, simultaneous searches are underway at three locations linked to Rao as part of the investigation.
A case (Koraput Vigilance PS Case No 34 dt 12.11.2025 u/s 7 PC (Amendment) Act, 2018) has been registered against him, and the investigation is ongoing.
