Bhubaneswar: Vigilance officials on Saturday apprehended an employee of Tata Power Distribution (TPCODL) for accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 to facilitate the replacement of a damaged electricity pole in Cuttack. The accused, identified as Dharma Niranjan Chaudhury, served as a lineman under the Narasinghpur electrical section.
Details of the Bribe Demand
According to vigilance authorities, Chaudhury initially demanded Rs 25,000 from a farmer for replacing a damaged electric pole located on the farmer's agricultural land. The pole was part of an 11-KV line and was in a dangerous condition. Fearing an accident, the farmer had requested the local electric office for a replacement, and Chaudhury was assigned the task.
Earlier, the lineman had already received Rs 8,000 via UPI as part of the bribe. He then insisted on the remaining Rs 17,000. When the farmer expressed his inability to pay the full amount, Chaudhury reduced his demand to Rs 15,000.
Farmer's Complaint and Trap
Aggrieved by the harassment, the farmer reported the matter to the vigilance department. A trap was laid, and Chaudhury was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe of Rs 15,000. Officials recovered the entire amount from his possession and seized it.
Following the arrest, vigilance teams conducted searches at Chaudhury's premises to investigate possible disproportionate assets.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to curb bribery in public services. The accused will face legal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
