Odisha News / PEO In Jajpur Caught Red-Handed Taking Rs 5000 Bribe

Bhubaneswar, Jul 21: Odisha Vigilance officials on Tuesday apprehended a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Kachara Sahi Gram Panchayat under Korei block in Jajpur district while accepting a bribe of Rs5,000 from a beneficiary of the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AGY), officials said.

The accused, identified as Prafulla Kumar Nath, was caught red-handed while demanding and receiving the bribe amount from a poor widow who had completed construction of her house under the rural housing scheme. As per the provisions of AGY, beneficiaries are entitled to receive a final instalment along with a bonus after timely completion of the house.

Today, a short while ago, Prafulla Kumar Nath, PEO, Kachara sahi GP, Korei Block, #Jajpur was apprehended by #Odisha #Vigilance while taking bribe of Rs. 5,000/- from the beneficiary under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana( AGY) for release of final instalment in her favour.

— Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) July 21, 2026

Officials said Nath initially demanded Rs10,000 to release the instalment and bonus amount. When the complainant expressed her inability to pay, he reduced the demand to Rs5,000 and threatened to withhold the sanctioned funds unless the bribe was paid. Aggrieved, the beneficiary lodged a complaint with Vigilance authorities, leading to the trap.

The Vigilance team recovered the entire bribe amount from Nath’s possession and seized it as evidence. Following the arrest, simultaneous searches were launched at two locations linked to the accused to examine disproportionate assets.
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A case has been registered at Kataka Vigilance Police Station under Case No. 26/2026, U/s 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigation is underway to ascertain further details of Nath’s assets and possible irregularities.

Officials emphasised that the Vigilance department remains committed to acting against corruption in welfare schemes, particularly those aimed at supporting vulnerable sections of society. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of government housing programmes.