REVENUE INSPECTOR OF JHARAPALI CIRCLE UNDER MALKANGIRI DISTRICT NABBED BY ODISHA VIGILANCE WHILE TAKING BRIBE RS. 8,000/- FOR FACILITATING ISSUANCE OF CASTE CERTIFICATE
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Today, i.e. on 18.08.2026, a short while ago, Suraj Bala, Revenue Inspector ( RI), Jharapali Circle under Malkangiri Tahasil, Dist. Malkangiri has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance while demanding and taking a bribe of Rs.8,000/- from an applicant to submit a verification report for issuance of Scheduled Caste Certificate in favour of his spouse.
The applicant had applied online, as per the rules prescribed by the government in the R&DM Department, for the aforesaid purpose and had also deposited the requisite fee. However, accused R.I. Sri Bala was unnecessarily delaying the process and, instead, demanded a bribe of Rs.10,000/- from the applicant( Complainant). Sri Bala asked the complainant to pay Rs 8000/- for now and Rs 2000/- after the work is done.
The complainant, being aggrieved by the demanded bribe and harassment, reported the matter to the vigilance authorities. On this, today, a team of Odisha Vigilance nabbed Sri Bala, R.I., while taking bribe of Rs.8,000/- from the complainant in his office chamber. The entire tainted bribe money of Rs.8,000/- was recovered from the possession of accused Sri Bala and seized.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are being conducted at two locations linked to Sri Bala, RI from the Disproportionate Assets (DA) angle.
In this connection, Koraput Vigilance P.S. Case No. 19/2026, U/s 7PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered. Investigation is in progress against the accused Sri Bala, R.I.
Earlier, Sri Suraj Bala, R.I., was also involved in another trap case vide Koraput Vigilance P.S. Case No. 33/2023, wherein he had taken bribe of Rs.15,000/- for issuance of a notice of appearance in an EC case. The said case is presently sub judice.
Detailed report follows.
