Balangir, Jan 6: Odisha Vigilance department officials on Tuesday caught Gulmi forest officer under Muribahal Range in Balangir district red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.

The accused officer has been identified as Ashok Kumar Naik.

According to reports, forester Ashok Kumar Naik had allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 from a local resident, Kaushik Kumar Bhoi, in exchange for granting permission to cut a Rengal tree. Following the demand, Bhoi lodged a formal complaint with the Balangir Vigilance Department against the forester.

Acting on the complaint, vigilance sleuths laid a trap and apprehended Naik while he was accepting the bribe amount. The officer was immediately taken into custody, and further investigation was launched.


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This operation highlights the vigilance department’s continued efforts to curb corruption and ensure accountability in government offices.


The Odisha Vigilance Department has been intensifying its operations in recent years to combat corruption across various government sectors. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure transparency, accountability, and public trust in administration.