Bhawanipatna, May 27: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Monday apprehended a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) under Thuamul Rampur block in Odisha's Kalahandi district, for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a complainant.

The accused official has been identified as Sanyasi Nayak, PEO of Kaniguma gram panchayat under Thuamul Rampur block in the district.

Today, a short while ago, Sri Sanyasi Nayak, PEO(Panchayat Executive Officer), Kaniguma G.P, Th.Rampur Block,#Kalahandi has been apprehended by #Odisha #Vigilance while taking bribe of Rs. 10,000/- from a Complainant to facilitate the labour payment under MGNREGA Scheme.

— Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) May 27, 2024

According to official sources, Behera and Pradhan had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant to facilitate the labour payment under MGNREGA Scheme.

However, the complainant approached the Vigilance officials and sought action against the accused PEO.  

On the basis of complaint, the anticorruption agency laid a trap and caught the PEO red-handed while receiving the bribe money.

The entire bribe amount was reportedly seized from the possession of the accused RI in the presence of witness.

Following the trap, the Vigilance officials conducted simultaneous raids at various locations associated with the accused PEO to unearth alleged disproportionate assets (DA) amassed by him, officials said.

A case has been registered under Section 7 PC (Amendment) Act, 2018, at the Koraput Vigilance police station in this connection and further investigation is in progress against the accused, they added. 

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