Vigilance Nabs Barpali CHC Officials in Rs 7K UPI Bribery Trap
Barpali, Odisha — In a decisive anti-corruption operation, Odisha Vigilance officials arrested Sekhar Chandra Sahu, an accountant, and Tamanna Sahu, a peon, both posted at Barpali Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bargarh district.
The duo was caught red-handed while accepting a Rs 7,000 bribe via PhonePe from a newly promoted Multi-Purpose Male Health Worker (MPMHW).
The bribe was allegedly demanded in exchange for processing the complainant’s pending salary arrears, increment, and Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) benefits.
Despite repeated requests over three months, the officials refused to act without payment, prompting the health worker to report the matter to the Vigilance authorities.
On November 3, 2025, a sting operation was executed. Although the initial transfer to the accountant’s account failed, the amount was successfully sent to the peon’s PhonePe account.
Both were apprehended on the spot, and their mobile phones were seized.
Subsequent raids at the accountant’s residence in Barpali and the peon’s native house in Dunguripali, Subarnapur district, led to the recovery of Rs 1,61,250 in cash.
Preliminary findings suggest this may be part of a larger pattern of extortion targeting other promoted MPMHWs.
The case has been registered at Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further links in the bribery chain.
