Odisha Vigilance Arrests Subarnapur Sarpanch in Bribery Case

Odisha Vigilance officials arrested Suryakanti Pandey, Sarpanch of Nimna Gram Panchayat in Ullunda block, Subarnapur district, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.

According to reports, Pandey demanded money from a Self Help Group (SHG) functionary to sign agreement papers for pisciculture in the GP tank and to facilitate subsidy release from the District Fisheries Office.

The SHG had leased the tank for five years, and Pandey initially demanded Rs 40,000 before settling at Rs 20,000.

Acting on a complaint, Vigilance sleuths laid a trap and caught Pandey red‑handed.

The tainted money was recovered and seized in the presence of witnesses.

Simultaneous searches were conducted at two locations linked to Pandey to investigate disproportionate assets.

A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No. 10 dated 04.07.2026). Further investigation is underway.