In a decisive anti-corruption operation, vigilance sleuths on Tuesday apprehended Prasanta Pradhan, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) stationed at the Rajkanika police station in Kendrapada district. The arrest was made while Pradhan was in the act of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 from a woman complainant. The bribe was sought in exchange for furnishing a favourable report in a land dispute case that was pending before a competent court, where Pradhan served as the enquiring officer.
Background of the Case
The complainant, Lilina Barik, a resident of Mangalpur village, found herself embroiled in a property dispute. She and the opposite party jointly owned a piece of land. However, without her consent, the opposite party initiated construction activities on the shared property. In response, Barik filed a case before the competent court to halt the construction. The court subsequently directed the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Rajkanika police station to submit a report within three days. The IIC then delegated the responsibility to ASI Pradhan to conduct the inquiry and submit the report within the stipulated timeframe.
The Bribe Demand
Following the court's orders, Barik approached ASI Pradhan to request the submission of the report. Instead of fulfilling his duty, Pradhan demanded a bribe of Rs 2,000 to complete the process. Feeling aggrieved and helpless, Barik decided to report the matter to the vigilance authorities, who promptly set up a trap.
Successful Trap and Seizure
The vigilance team orchestrated a sting operation, during which the entire bribe amount of Rs 2,000 was seized from Pradhan in the presence of independent witnesses. Following the arrest, simultaneous search operations were conducted at Pradhan's residential house in Deulaput village and other locations connected to him. These searches aim to uncover any additional evidence of corruption or disproportionate assets.
Broader Implications
This arrest underscores the vigilance department's commitment to rooting out corruption within the police force. It also serves as a warning to other officials who may consider exploiting their positions for personal gain. The case has sent shockwaves through the local community, which has long demanded accountability from law enforcement agencies.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the searches continue. Authorities have assured that strict legal action will be taken against Pradhan, who is currently in custody.
