Senior Clerk Caught Red-Handed in Bribery Sting
In a significant anti-corruption operation, vigilance officials on Thursday apprehended T Bhenkatagiri Rao, a senior clerk working with the rural water supply and sanitation division in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi district. The arrest occurred at his official residence where he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a retired staff member.
The Pension Paper Predicament
The case originated when the complainant, who had retired on March 31, 2024, sought assistance with processing his pension documents. According to Rabindra Kumar Panda, SP (vigilance) of Koraput range, the retired employee had repeatedly approached Rao to complete the necessary paperwork. Instead of providing the required service, Rao allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 as bribe to move the file forward.
Frustrated by the unlawful demand, the retired staff member decided to report the matter to the vigilance department. This led to the formation of a special team that designed a trap to catch the accused in the act. The operation was carefully planned and executed with precision.
The Trap and Subsequent Investigations
When the vigilance team arrived at Rao's residence, the accused attempted to destroy evidence by throwing the bribe money through his quarter's window. However, the officials successfully recovered the entire amount, which was seized as evidence. Simultaneous searches are currently underway at three different locations connected to Rao, as confirmed by vigilance sources.
The swift action by the vigilance department highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption in government offices, particularly in matters affecting retired employees who depend on their pension for livelihood. The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by common citizens when dealing with bureaucratic processes.
