Puri Forester Arrested for Accepting ₹25,000 Bribe
Odisha Vigilance officials arrested Rakesh Kumar Panda, a Forester posted at Ankui under Delang Range in Puri district, after he was caught red‑handed accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000.
According to reports, Panda had demanded the money from a tractor owner to allow passage through a forest road while transporting excavated earth.
The complainant approached Vigilance after Panda allegedly threatened to seize the vehicle if the bribe was not paid.
Acting on the complaint, Vigilance sleuths laid a trap and apprehended Panda while he was receiving the cash.
The bribe money was recovered and seized from his possession.
Simultaneous searches were conducted at two locations linked to Panda to investigate possible disproportionate assets.
A case has been registered at Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 11, dated June 17, 2026) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Officials stated that the operation is part of the ongoing crackdown on corruption in Odisha’s forest and revenue departments.
