Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Thursday apprehended Mousumi Behera, Deputy Ranger of Phulnakhara under City Forest Division, Bhubaneswar for allegedly taking a bribe Rs one lakh from a staff member for release of bills.
Vigilance said in a statement that she had demanded the bribe from a staffer of the Phulnakhara Range in lieu of release of bill towards maintenance including watch and ward, watering, fertiliser of three plantation sites between July and September, 2026.
Behera demanded Rs 1 Lakh from the staffer towards release of the amount for the above 3 months. The staffer was told that she would not release the bill for the upcoming months if the demanded bribe amount is not paid. Being aggrieved over the demanded bribe and unable to meet the demand, the staffer reported the matter to vigilance authorities.
Based on the complaint, a team of Vigilance nabbed Behera while taking bribe Rs 1 lakh from the complainant. The entire tainted bribe money Rs 1 lakh has been recovered from the possession of accused Behera and seized.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are going on at two locations linked to the Deputy Ranger from Disproportionate Assets angle. A case has been registered and investigation is underway.