Bhubaneswar, 13 March (H.S.): The Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of police for allegedly accepting a bribe from a hotel owner in Rajgangpur town of Sundargarh district.

The accused, identified as Arupananda Das, was posted at the Badgaon Police Station. According to vigilance officials, he was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹25,000 from a hotel owner.

Officials said the ASI had been demanding ₹25,000 every month from the hotel owner in return for allowing the business to operate without police interference. Acting on a complaint filed by the hotel owner, the Vigilance Department laid a trap to nab the officer.

During the operation, the vigilance team caught Das while he was receiving the bribe money. The tainted cash amounting to ₹25,000 was recovered from his possession in the presence of witnesses.

Following the arrest, vigilance officials immediately detained the ASI and initiated further legal proceedings.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the bribe was allegedly demanded to allow the continued sale of liquor at the hotel. Authorities also suspect that the illegal payment arrangement had been in place for some time before the complaint was lodged.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Vigilance officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether any other officials were involved in the matter.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda