Bhubaneswar, 03 August (H.S.): In a major crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance on Monday apprehended Mukesh Kumar Mishra, Traffic Inspector (OMVD) in the office of the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Sundargarh, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from a truck owner.
According to Vigilance officials, Mishra had been demanding the bribe as a “monthly quota” to allow the complainant’s two HYVA trucks to operate smoothly under his jurisdiction without obstruction. The demand reportedly covered a two-month period—June and July 2026.
Unable to meet the illegal demand, the truck owner approached the Vigilance authorities, who subsequently laid a trap. Acting on the complaint, a Vigilance team caught Mishra red-handed while he was accepting the bribe amount.
The entire tainted money of ₹20,000 was recovered from Mishra’s possession and seized in the presence of witnesses.
Following the arrest, simultaneous searches are being conducted at three locations linked to the accused to investigate disproportionate assets.
In this connection, a case has been registered at Rourkela Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 06 dated August 2, 2026) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
