Today i.e on 02.11.2026, a short while ago, Ajay Kumar Garanaik, Special Land Acquisition Officer, Sambalpur-Talcher Doubling Rail Line Project *has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance for demanding a bribe of Rs.5,00,000/- from the land owner ( Complainant) in lieu of relase of Rs.84,62,288/- towards compensation amount for Land Acquisition and to show favour in future for compensation during the third rail line project*. Sri Garanaik had demanded bribe Rs.5.10 Lakhs from the complainant. Sri Garnaik received Rs.2 Lakhs a few days back, i.e., on 27.10.2026 and demanded the rest Rs 3.10 Lakhs to be paid immediately. Sri Garanaik also threatened the complt that unless he was paid the rest bribe amount Rs3.10 Lakhs, he ( Sri Garanaik) would created problems during his future land acquisition for third railway line project. This irked the complainant and, finding no other means, he reported to the vigilance authorities narrating harassment by Sri Garanaik. Following this, today, a team of Odisha Vigilance nabbed Sri Garanaik while taking the balance amount of bribe Rs.3.10 Lakhs from the complainant. *The tainted bribe money of Rs.3,10,000/- has been recovered from the possession of accused Sri Garnaik and seized*.
Following the successful trap, simultaneous searches are going on at three locations linked to Sri Garanaik from DA angle.
In this connection, Sambalpur Vigilance P.S. Case No.20 dt.01.11.2026 U/s.7 P.C. (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered. Investigation is in progress against the accused Sri Garanaik Special Land Acquisition Officer. Detailed report follows.
