Koraput, Jul 8: Odisha Vigilance arrested Satyajit Rout, Deputy Director (Geology)-cum-Deputy Director of Mines, Jeypore, Koraput district, after he was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting a Rs2 lakh bribe from a leaseholder for extending a lease and facilitating future benefits in sand spot auctions, officials said on Wednesday.

Today, Satyajit Rout, Deputy Director Mines, #Koraput, was arrested & sent to jail for taking bribe Rs.2 lakhs from a sand source leaseholder for extending lease & facilitating future benefits in sand spot auctions. Further, cash Rs 4.90 lakhs seized during search. Invstgn ctng. pic.twitter.com/DlexHTuKSl

— Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) July 8, 2026

Officials said the leaseholder had already deposited the requisite amount for the auction, but Rout allegedly delayed the process and demanded a bribe. Acting on the complaint, Vigilance sleuths laid a trap on Tuesday night and apprehended Rout while he was allegedly receiving the money. The entire bribe amount was recovered in the presence of witnesses, and chemical tests confirmed handling of the cash.

Following the arrest, simultaneous searches were conducted at Rout’s residences in Jeypore, Bidyadharpur, and Mahanga in Cuttack district, as well as his office chamber. Vigilance unearthed Rs2.90 lakh in cash from his Jeypore residence and Rs2 lakh from his Bidyadharpur house, taking the total cash seizure to Rs6.90 lakh. Rout has been forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Jeypore, and a case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 at Koraput Vigilance Police Station.
Also Read: Odisha Vigilance Raids Kendrapada Forest Ranger’s Properties in DA Case

In a separate case, Vigilance officials launched searches at multiple locations linked to Rabindra Kumar Nayak, Forest Ranger of Kendrapada Forest Range, over allegations of disproportionate assets. Preliminary findings include two buildings, six prime plots in Baranga (Cuttack), cash worth Rs2.14 lakh, deposits of Rs43 lakh, a four-wheeler, and other assets.

Officials said both cases highlight Vigilance’s intensified drive against corruption and disproportionate asset holdings in Odisha.