Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Monday apprehended Sekhar Chandra Sahu, Accountant, and Tamanna Sahu, Peon, both posted at Community Health Centre (CHC), Barpali in Bargarh district, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹7,000 through UPI from a health worker.
According to official press note, the complainant, a Multi-Purpose Male Health Worker (MPMHW) recently promoted and posted at the same CHC, had been requesting the accused accountant for the past three months to process his file for sanction of increment, MACP, and arrear salary. However, Accountant Sahu and Peon Tamanna Sahu allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹7,000 to facilitate the drawal of his pending dues.
When the complainant refused to pay and reported the matter to Vigilance, a trap was laid. The Vigilance team nabbed both accused red-handed while accepting the bribe through PhonePe. As the initial transfer to Accountant Sahu’s account failed, the complainant transferred the bribe to Tamanna Sahu’s account instead.
Both accused were apprehended, and their mobile phones were seized. Searches are underway at three locations linked to Accountant Sahu to verify any disproportionate assets. Vigilance officials added that the accused are suspected of having taken bribes from other promoted MPMHWs as well, which is under verification.
In this connection, a case was registered at Sambalpur Vigilance police station on Sunday under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation is in progress.
