Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Friday apprehended a panchayat executive officer (PEO) in Cuttack district for allegedly taking Rs 5,000 from a mechanic to release his salary arrears and extend service.
The accused was identified as Bharata Bhusan Mishra, PEO of Bhatimunda Gram Panchayat
under Tangi-Choudwar Block of Cuttack. He was caught while allegedly taking a bribe Rs 5000/- from a mechanic in lieu of release of arrear salary and for extension of his service.
As the PEO insisted on the demanded bribe to release arrear salary and extend service of the complainant, he reported the matter to Vigilance authorities. Upon receiving the information, a team of Vigilance nabbed Mishra, while taking the bribe money from the mechanic. The entire bribe money has been recovered from the possession of accused Mishra and seized.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are going on at three locations linked to Mishra DA angle. A case has been registered and investigation is in progress.