Odisha Vigilance nabs doctor in bribery sting operation

Bhubaneswar, July 19: Dr. Ranjeeb Kumar Rout, Superintendent of Sainkul CHC in Keonjhar, was apprehended today by the Odisha Vigilance for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,800 from a complainant. The bribe was sought in exchange for appointing the complainant's sister as a Yoga Instructor at the CHC and for processing the pending salary bill of the complainant.

Despite several requests, Dr. Rout had not processed the complainant’s pending salary without any justification. In addition, Dr. Rout demanded the bribe to facilitate both the salary disbursement and the appointment of the complainant’s sister.

The complainant reported the extortion to the Odisha Vigilance through the toll-free number 1064, leading to an investigation. Vigilance officials conducted a sting operation and caught Dr. Rout red-handed while accepting the bribe.

The entire amount of Rs 20,800 was recovered from Dr. Rout and seized. Following the arrest, simultaneous searches are being conducted at three of Dr. Rout’s locations as part of an investigation into his assets.

A case has been registered under Balasore Vigilance PS Case No.07 dated July 18, 2024, under Section 7 of the P.C. (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is ongoing.