Bhubaneswar, June 5: In a significant crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance officials on Friday apprehended a Junior Assistant of the District Education Office (DEO) in Bhadrak district while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a private school representative.

The accused, identified as Srikanta Kumar Dash, was caught red-handed during a Vigilance trap operation. According to officials, Dash had allegedly demanded the bribe for processing a file related to the issuance of a Recognition Certificate in favour of a private educational institution.

Vigilance sources said the school functionary had repeatedly requested the official to process the application without any illegal payment. However, Dash allegedly refused to move the file unless the demanded amount was paid. Left with no alternative, the complainant approached the Vigilance Department and lodged a formal complaint.

Acting on the complaint, Vigilance officials verified the allegations and laid a trap. Dash was apprehended while accepting the bribe amount, and the entire ₹10,000 was recovered from his possession and seized as evidence.

Following the successful trap operation, Vigilance teams launched simultaneous searches at two locations linked to the accused to investigate possible disproportionate assets. Officials are examining his financial records and property details as part of the inquiry.

In connection with the case, the Balasore Vigilance Police have registered a case against Dash under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused was involved in similar corrupt practices in the past.

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