Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance arrested Assistant Engineer Suchismita Parija of Lamtaput block in Koraput district, on Tuesday for accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 from a local resident to facilitate the release of a payment bill.
According to an official press release, Parija was caught red-handed while demanding and receiving the final installment of a Rs 15,000 bribe. The bribe was sought to expedite the payment process for laborers engaged in ‘Ghat Cutting’ work under the MGNREG scheme.
The complainant had earlier paid Rs 5,000, while Parija insisted on the balance amount — initially Rs 10,000, later reduced to Rs 8,000 — to release the bill. Facing harassment, the complainant reported the matter to Vigilance authorities.
Following the complaint, vigilance officials laid a trap and apprehended Parija as she accepted the remaining Rs 8,000. The entire bribe amount was recovered and seized.
Simultaneous searches are underway at three locations linked to Parija in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) investigation.
Koraput Vigilance Police Station has registered Case No. 22 dated June 9, 2025, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is ongoing.
Further updates will follow.
