Jeypore, Oct 25: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Vigilance Department apprehended Harishchandra Mohapatra, a Class IV employee at the Treasury Office, while accepting a bribe of ₹47,000 from a local resident named Bharat Nayak.

The arrest was made during a planned operation by the Jeypore Vigilance team.

According to sources, Bharat Nayak’s father-in-law was employed at the Settlement Office and was awaiting clearance of arrear pension bills. Harishchandra allegedly demanded a total bribe of ₹87,000 to process the pension arrears.

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Bharat had already paid ₹40,000 earlier and was handing over the remaining ₹47,000 when the Vigilance team caught Mohapatra red-handed.

The operation was executed based on a prior complaint and surveillance plan. Following the arrest, Vigilance officials launched further investigations into Mohapatra’s assets, suspecting disproportionate wealth beyond his known sources of income.

Raids were conducted at his residence in Jeypore and at his son’s house in Koraput. Officials are examining documents and property records to assess the extent of unaccounted assets.

This incident has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability in pension processing and public service delivery. The Vigilance Department has reiterated its commitment to rooting out corruption and urged citizens to report any such demands.

The case is currently under investigation, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings from the raids and asset evaluations.