Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday apprehended data entry operator posted in the office of Begunia Tehsildar In Khurda, Smruti Jayasingh, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000.
According to a Vigilance release, she had demanded the illegal gratification from a complainant for online processing of a file for conversion of land from agricultural to non-agricultural purpose. “As per government rules, the complainant had submitted an online application for the same on September 1. However, the accused demanded Rs 8,000 to initiate the process, following which the complainant reported the matter to Vigilance authorities,” it said.
Following this, a trap was laid and a team of Odisha Vigilance nabbed Jayasingh while accepting the bribe money. Simultaneous searches are being conducted at two locations to ascertain whether she has accumulated assets disproportionate to her known sources of income.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the PC (Amendment) Act, 2018, and further investigation is underway, it added.