Kataka: Odisha Vigilance on Friday apprehended Kishor Kumar Swain, Revenue Inspector of Madhaba Circle under Niali Tahasil in Cuttack district, along with his associate Sukanta Pradhan while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹30,000.
The duo was caught after Swain allegedly delayed the processing of a mutation case and demanded the illegal gratification to submit a favourable report and facilitate the issuance of a corrected Record of Rights (ROR), or land patta, in favour of the applicant.
According to Vigilance officials, the complainant had applied online for the correction of the land records as per the rules of the state’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Despite repeated requests, Swain allegedly stalled the process without reason and insisted on the bribe. When the applicant expressed inability to pay, the demand continued, prompting the complainant to approach the Vigilance authorities.
A Vigilance team trapped both accused in Swain’s office room while they were accepting the ₹30,000 bribe. The entire amount was recovered from their possession and seized.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are underway at two locations linked to the Revenue Inspector from the angle of disproportionate assets. A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and further investigation is underway.