Nayagarh, May 17: In a major crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance officials apprehended a Junior Engineer of Bhapur Rural Works Section, Nayagarh district, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹1.36 lakh.

The arrest took place on Sunday, following a well-planned trap operation.

The accused, Keshab Subudhi, Junior Engineer, along with his associate Ashutosh Baliarsingh, a private individual, was caught red-handed while receiving the bribe from a contractor.

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The money was allegedly demanded in exchange for clearing bills related to construction and maintenance work under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana (MMSY) for the year 2021-22 in the Khandapara area of Nayagarh district. The bribe also included a promise to refund the contractor’s security deposit.

Soon after the trap, Vigilance teams launched simultaneous searches at two locations linked to Subudhi to investigate disproportionate assets. The searches are ongoing, and officials are examining financial records and property documents to determine the extent of illicit wealth.

A case has been registered under Bhubaneswar Vigilance P.S. Case No. 07 dated 16.05.2026, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Both Subudhi and Baliarsingh are under investigation, and further legal proceedings will follow based on the evidence collected.

This incident highlights the continued efforts of Odisha Vigilance to curb corruption in public works and ensure transparency in government schemes. The arrest sends a strong message against misuse of official positions for personal gain, particularly in projects meant to benefit rural communities.

The Vigilance Department has assured that detailed reports will be shared once the searches and investigation are completed.