Vigilance Trap / Odisha Vigilance nabs Special Land Acquisition Officer in Rs5.10 lakh bribery case

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: Odisha Vigilance on Monday apprehended a Special Land Acquisition Officer posted with the Sambalpur-Talcher Doubling Rail Line Project for allegedly accepting a bribe from a landowner in connection with the release of land acquisition compensation.

The accused, Ajay Kumar Garanaik, was caught while allegedly receiving Rs3.10 lakh from the complainant near a B.Ed. college in Angul. Vigilance officials said the tainted money was recovered from his possession and seized during the operation.

Demand for Compensation Release

According to Odisha Vigilance, Garanaik had allegedly demanded a total bribe of Rs5.10 lakh from a land oustee for facilitating the release of Rs84.62 lakh towards land acquisition compensation. He had also allegedly assured favourable consideration of claims related to further compensation connected with a proposed third railway line project.

Officials said the accused had already accepted Rs2 lakh from the complainant on October 27 and subsequently demanded the remaining Rs3.10 lakh.

Vigilance alleged that Garanaik threatened to create obstacles in future land acquisition proceedings related to the third railway line project if the remaining amount was not paid.

Trap Laid by Vigilance

Distressed by the repeated demands and alleged harassment, the complainant approached Odisha Vigilance and lodged a formal complaint. Acting on the information, a vigilance team laid a trap and apprehended the officer while he was accepting the balance bribe amount.

The successful operation led to the recovery of the entire remaining sum allegedly demanded by the accused.
Also Read: Odisha Vigilance Emerging as a National Model in Anti-Corruption Efforts, Says CM Mohan Majhi

Searches Underway

Following the arrest, simultaneous searches were launched at three locations associated with Garanaik on suspicion of possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Odisha Vigilance said a case has been registered at Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Officials stated that the investigation is continuing and a detailed report will be prepared upon completion of the inquiry.