Bhubaneswar, May 19: Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday apprehended a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Mirginendi Gram Panchayat under Karanjia Block in Mayurbhanj district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000 from a contractual staffer.The accused official has been identified as Parsuram Naik, PEO of Mirginendi GP under Karanjia Block. He was caught red-handed by the Vigilance team while allegedly taking the bribe amount from a staff member of the same Gram Panchayat.According to Vigilance sources, the accused had demanded the bribe for processing the complainant’s file related to the release of arrear remuneration and for facilitating the drawal of his regular salary. The contractual staffer had reportedly not received his remuneration for the period from March 26, 2023, to April 3, 2025, despite orders issued by the Block Development Officer (BDO) directing the release of the dues.The complainant had repeatedly approached the PEO requesting the release of his pending remuneration. However, Naik allegedly demanded Rs.18,000 as illegal gratification in exchange for processing the payment.Sources said the accused also threatened the staffer that the remuneration would not be released unless the demanded bribe was paid.Left with no alternative, the staffer approached Odisha Vigilance authorities and lodged a complaint detailing the alleged harassment and bribery demand. Acting on the complaint, Vigilance officials laid a trap and apprehended Naik while he was allegedly accepting the bribe amount.The entire bribe money of Rs.18,000 was recovered from the possession of the accused and subsequently seized by the Vigilance team.Following the successful trap operation, simultaneous searches are being conducted at two locations linked to the accused official to investigate possible disproportionate assets (DA).In connection with the case, Balasore Vigilance Police Station Case No. 7/2026 has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
Panchayat official nabbed by Odisha Vigilance while accepting bribe in Mayurbhanj
