Bhubaneswar: Vigilance sleuths apprehended the Deputy Ranger of Bisra Forest Range under Rourkela Forest Division, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000.
Deputy Ranger Asit Pattanayak allegedly received the bribe to release hire charges for a vehicle engaged for official purposes in April 2025 and to ensure the vehicle’s re-engagement from May 1, 2025.
The accused, Pattanayak, was caught red-handed by a team of Odisha Vigilance while accepting the bribe amount. The entire tainted money of Rs 18,000 has been recovered and seized from his possession.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are underway at four locations linked to Sri Pattanayak to investigate potential Disproportionate Assets (DA).
A case has been registered at Rourkela Vigilance PS (Case No. 07 dt. 20.05.2025) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is underway.
