Rourkela, May 21: The Odisha Vigilance Department on Wednesday conducted a raid at the house of Asit Pattanayak, Deputy Ranger of Bisra Forest Range, Rourkela Forest Division, following his arrest on gratification charges.

According to reports, the anti-corruption wing on Tuesday laid a trap and apprehended Pattanayak red-handed while accepting bribe of Rs 18,000 from a person.

Pattanayak had demanded the bribe from the complainant whose vehicle was engaged for official use in the Forest department on a hiring basis. The vehicle owner lodged a complaint stating that Pattanayak had demanded the bribe to release his dues for the month of April and allow him to continue his services in May.

Taking note of the complaint, a case was registered against the accused officer and the Vigilance Department launched a simultaneous search at his properties.

A senior officer said his office-cum-residence at Bisra, rented house at Basanti Colony in Rourkela, a flat in Bhubaneswar and his paternal house in Mayurbhanj district were simultaneously searched to determine his disproportionate assets.

During the search, the officers of the anti-corruption wing seized Rs 8.37 lakh in cash and 390 gms gold ornaments.

More details regarding the raids are awaited.

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