Keonjhar Excise Superintendent and ASI Arrested for Rs 40,000 Bribe
Odisha Vigilance has arrested Sitarani Pattayat, Superintendent of Excise in Keonjhar, and Bijay Kumar Mohanta, ASI‑cum‑OIC of Champua Excise Station, for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from a licensed liquor vendor.
According to officials, Pattayat had been pressuring the vendor for regular payments since assuming charge four months ago. Facing harassment, the vendor lodged a complaint with the Vigilance authorities.
Acting on the tip, a team laid a trap and caught Mohanta red‑handed while collecting the bribe on Pattayat’s telephonic instructions.
The entire bribe amount was seized, and simultaneous searches were conducted at three locations linked to Pattayat and two connected to Mohanta to investigate disproportionate assets.
Authorities have registered Balasore Vigilance PS Case No. 17/2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is ongoing, and a detailed report is expected soon.
This arrest underscores Odisha Vigilance’s continued crackdown on corruption within government departments, sending a strong message against abuse of power.
