Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Tuesday apprehended Deputy Ranger of Bisra Forest Range under Rourkela Forest Division in Sundargarh district, Asit Pattanayak, while allegedly accepting Rs 18,000 bribe.
Pattanayak had demanded illegal gratification from the owner of a vehicle to clear the bill of his pre-engaged vehicle for official purpose for the month of April with assurance to re-engage the same from May 1. The entire bribe money was recovered and seized from Pattanayak, a Vigilance release said.
Simultaneous searches are currently underway at four locations linked to the Deputy ranger to ascertain whether he has accumulated assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
A case under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, has been registered against him and further investigation is underway, it added.
