Bargarh, Nov 3: In a swift action today, Odisha Vigilance officials apprehended two staff members of the Community Health Centre (CHC), Barpali, in Bargarh district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹7,000 through a digital payment platform.
The accused have been identified as Sekhar Chandra Sahu, Accountant, and Tamanna Sahu, Peon, both posted at CHC Barpali. According to Vigilance sources, the duo had demanded the bribe from a complainant, a Health Worker at the same CHC, for processing his file related to sanction of increment, MACP benefits, and drawal of pending arrear salary.
Despite repeated requests over the past three months, the Accountant allegedly refused to process the complainant’s salary arrears without payment of the demanded bribe. Finding no alternative, the complainant approached the Vigilance authorities, leading to the trap.
During the operation, both accused were caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount through PhonePe. When the initial transfer attempt to Accountant Sahu’s account failed, the complainant reportedly sent the money to Tamanna Sahu’s PhonePe account. Vigilance officers seized both accused persons’ mobile phones as part of the investigation.
Preliminary inquiry also suggests that the Accountant had collected bribes from several other promoted Multi-Purpose Male Health Workers (MPMHWs) for similar favors. Verification of these allegations is underway.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches are being carried out at three locations linked to Accountant Sahu to detect any disproportionate assets.
A case has been registered under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, at Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 22 dated 02.11.2025).
Further investigation into the case is in progress.
