Bhubaneswar, 17 May (H.S.): Odisha Vigilance on Saturday arrested Keshab Subudhi, Junior Engineer of Bhapur Rural Works Section in Nayagarh district, along with his associate Ashutosh Baliarsingh for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1.36 lakh from a contractor.

According to Vigilance officials, the accused had demanded the bribe in exchange for clearing pending bills related to construction and maintenance work carried out under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana (MMSY) for the year 2021–22 in Khandapara area of Nayagarh district, as well as for facilitating the release of the contractor’s security deposit.

Officials stated that after completion of maintenance work, the contractor had repeatedly requested the Junior Engineer over the last three to four months to take measurements and process the release of the Initial Security Deposit (ISD) and other refundable security amounts. However, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 1.36 lakh as illegal gratification for the purpose.

Following a complaint lodged by the contractor, Odisha Vigilance laid a trap on May 17 and apprehended the accused at the government residential quarters of the Junior Engineer in Khandapara while accepting the bribe amount through his associate.

Investigators said Keshab Subudhi had instructed the contractor to hand over the money to Ashutosh Baliarsingh, who was allegedly acting on his behalf. The entire bribe amount was recovered and seized in the presence of witnesses.

Subsequently, simultaneous searches were carried out at the accused officer’s government residence in Khandapara, his flat at Metro Apartment in Hanspal, Bhubaneswar, and his office chamber. During the searches, officials also seized 17 old denomination currency notes of Rs 2,000 each from the government quarters.

Both accused persons have been arrested and are being forwarded to court. In connection with the case, Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station Case No. 07 dated May 16, 2026, has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation is underway.

According to official records, Keshab Subudhi joined government service on February 25, 2014, as a contractual Junior Engineer in Nabarangpur RW Division-II with an initial monthly salary of Rs 9,300. He was transferred to Nayagarh RW Division in September 2020, and his services were regularised in October 2022.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda