In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Odisha Vigilance department on Sunday arrested a serving police inspector for allegedly accepting a bribe from a liquor shop owner in Cuttack. The officer was caught red-handed while receiving the illicit payment.
Inspector Caught Red-Handed at Raj Mahal Square
Bijay Kumar Barik, the 43-year-old Inspector in-Charge (IIC) of the CRRI police station in Cuttack, was apprehended by vigilance officials at Raj Mahal Square in Bhubaneswar. The arrest occurred early in the morning while Barik was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000.
The bribe was reportedly demanded from a licensed liquor trader operating within the limits of the CRRI police station. Officials stated that the trader had filed a complaint alleging persistent harassment and extortion by the police inspector.
Monthly Protection Racket and Seizure of Assets
According to the Vigilance department, the complainant alleged that Barik had been extorting Rs 30,000 per month as 'protection money' to allow his business to operate without interference. This demand was later escalated to Rs 40,000. Shockingly, the inspector also allegedly demanded regular supplies of prawn and mutton from the trader.
Following the trap and arrest, vigilance sleuths conducted searches at Barik's government quarters in Bhubaneswar. The raid led to the recovery of Rs 5 lakh in unaccounted cash. The officer could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of this substantial amount.
"We suspect the money also came in the form of bribes from different sources," a vigilance officer revealed. Investigators also seized gold and silver jewellery from his residence. The anti-corruption wing has now launched a detailed probe to determine if Barik possesses disproportionate assets beyond his known sources of income.
Career Scrutiny and Ongoing Investigation
Bijay Kumar Barik's career and financial dealings are under the microscope. Officials confirmed that his bank accounts, investments, and those of his immediate family members and relatives are being scrutinized as part of the expanding investigation.
Barik's service record shows he joined the Odisha Police as a sub-inspector on September 21, 2012. After serving in the Boudh district for several years, he was promoted to inspector in November 2021. His postings within the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack commissionerate include:
- Sub-Inspector at Nayapalli police station (March 2019 to November 2021)
- Additional IIC at Saheed Nagar police station (November 2021 to August 2022)
- IIC of Info Valley police station (September 2022 to February 2024)
- IIC at Cuttack’s CRRI police station since February 2024
The Vigilance department has stated that the investigation is ongoing and further developments are expected as they delve deeper into the officer's assets and potential misconduct during his previous postings.
