Odisha cop arrested on graft charge

Cuttack: The Vigilance officials today arrested a police officer in Th. Rampur of Kalahandi district on charges of accepting bribe to settle a case. The police officer, Sumeswar Bag working as an ASI at Th. Rampur police station was caught by the Vigilance officials of Koraput Division for demanding and accepting illegal gratification of Rs 50,000 from one Pabitra Nayak.

The ASI was taking the bribe in order to settle the dispute among family members of Nayak, the complainant, relating to share of financial benefit received after death of his father due to lightning and release of his motor cycle which was detained at the police station.

Based on a complaint filed by Nayak, the sleuths laid a trap today. Accordingly, Nayak met the ASI with bribe amount Rs 50,000. The accused directed complainant to give the bribe amount to Home Guard Raghumani Nayak who was present there. As per direction of the ASI, the Home Guard received the bribe money and went to the nearby bank to verify the genuineness of the bribe amount.

When the Home Guard was returning from the bank, on seeing the Vigilance team handed over the bribe money to one OAPF Constable and absconded from the spot.

Official sources said the bribe money was recovered and seized in presence of witnesses. Residential house of the ASI at Naktiguda in Bhawanipatna is being searched.

Following the arrest of the ASI, he was forwarded to the court.

After registering a case, the Vigilance officials of Koraput division are investigating the matter.