Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Tuesday apprehended a Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in Baleshwar district for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a vehicle owner to clear bills related to engagement of vehicle.
The accused, identified as Madhusmita Mohanty, is CDPO, Sadar, Baleshwar and also In-Charge CDPO of Baleshwar Municipality. She was caught while taking Rs 5,000 from the vehicle owner to pass bills related to two months hire charges of his vehicle engaged in the office of CDPO, Baleshwar Municipality.
Mohanty had been recently given additional charge of CDPO Baleshwar Municipality following superannuation of the CDPO there. The owner of the vehicle has engaged his vehicle on rent basis in office of CDPO, Baleshwar Municipality, since 2024.
When the vehicle owner recently submitted the pending bills for two months (June & July-2026) for necessary payment @ Rs.26,000/- per month, Mohanty demanded Rs 5,000 to pass bills..
Being aggrieved, the vehicle owner approached the vigilance authorities. Upon receiving the information, a team of Odisha Vigilance nabbed Mohanty while taking Rs 5,000 from the complainant. The entire bribe money has been recovered from the possession of accused Mohanty and seized.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are going on at two locations linked to Mohanty from disproportionate assets angle. In this connection, a case has been registered and investigation is underway.
