Rayagada, Jun 24: In a late-night operation on Tuesday, Odisha Vigilance officials arrested Prasanna Kumar Pattnayak, Executive Engineer of RWD-I, Rayagada, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh from a contractor.

The arrest was made after Pattnayak was caught red-handed while demanding and receiving the money to clear pending bills and issue a work experience certificate necessary for the contractor’s participation in future tenders.

According to Vigilance sources, the contractor had been requesting the certificate for several days. Pattnayak allegedly demanded ₹2.5 lakh, equivalent to 5% of a ₹50 lakh bill, in exchange for clearing the payment and issuing the certificate.

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After negotiations, the bribe amount was reduced to ₹2 lakh. Distressed by the demand, the contractor alerted Vigilance authorities, leading to a trap that culminated in Pattnayak’s arrest.

During simultaneous searches at Pattnayak’s residences in Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh, his office chamber, and government quarters in Rayagada, Vigilance teams recovered significant cash.

A total of ₹5.39 lakh was seized, including ₹3.39 lakh hidden underground at his government quarters. Officials also noted the lavish construction of his Bhubaneswar residence, reportedly featuring a swimming pool worth lakhs of rupees.

Pattnayak, who was scheduled to retire on June 30, now faces serious charges under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

A case has been registered at Koraput Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 12/2026), and further investigation is underway to trace disproportionate assets and other irregularities.

Authorities have assured that detailed reports will follow as the investigation progresses.