Vigilance Traps Baleshwar CDPO Taking ₹5K Bribe

Odisha Vigilance officials on Tuesday trapped Madhusmita Mohanty, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Baleshwar Sadar and in‑charge of Baleshwar Municipality, while allegedly accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe.

According to sources, Mohanty had recently assumed additional charge after the retirement of her predecessor.

A local vehicle owner, who had been providing his vehicle on hire to the CDPO office since 2024, submitted pending bills for June and July 2026 amounting to Rs 26,000 per month.

Mohanty allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 to clear the bills.

Acting on the complaint, Vigilance sleuths laid a trap and recovered the full bribe amount from her possession.

Simultaneous searches are being conducted at two of her linked premises as part of a disproportionate assets (DA) inquiry.

A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 (Case No. 16/2026). Further investigation is underway.