Barpali: A team of Odisha Vigilance sleuths caught a headmaster red-handed while he was accepting a bribe at Kusanpuri village under Barpali block in Bargarh, today. He is presently working in Kusanpuri high school in the district.

The headmaster has been identified as Balamukunda Pradhan.

According to a source, Pradhan was caught as he demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 14,000 to pass the bill of a women self-help group (WSHG). The WSHG had been outsourced for cleaning the school premises and also guarding at night. The headmaster was to process a file for release of payment.

A functionary of the WSHG brought it to the knowledge of Bargarh Vigilance and lodged a written complaint.

Swinging into action, Bargarh Vigilance team laid a trap leading to the apprehension of Pradhan.

The entire bribe money has been recovered from his possession and seized.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches are going on at two locations of Pradhan from a disproportionate assets (DA) angle.

A Sambalpur Vigilance PS case has been registered in this connection. A detailed investigation is in progress against the accused.