As part of the ongoing crackdown on corruption in Odisha, the Vigilance Department arrested Prasanna Kumar Patnaik—an Executive Engineer with the Rural Development Department in Rayagada—red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh. Notably, the accused officer was due to retire on June 30, 2026, but fell into the Vigilance net just six days prior to his retirement.

According to reports, a contractor had lodged a complaint against the engineer. The complainant alleged that bills worth approximately ₹50 lakh for various works executed for the department were pending. Additionally, he required a work experience certificate to participate in new tenders. 

Bribe demanded in exchange for clearing bills and issuing an experience certificate

It is alleged that Prasanna Kumar Patnaik demanded a bribe of ₹2.5 lakh in return for approving the payment of pending bills and issuing the experience certificate. When the contractor expressed his inability to pay such a large sum, the amount was reportedly reduced to ₹2 lakh following negotiations. 

Vigilance laid a trap; arrest made red-handed

Distressed by the bribe demand, the contractor reported the matter to the Vigilance Department. Acting on the complaint, officials meticulously laid a trap and caught the accused engineer red-handed while he was accepting the ₹2 lakh. The entire bribe amount was recovered and seized during the operation.

Following the arrest, the Vigilance Department launched simultaneous raids on various premises linked to the accused. 

Swimming pool found on the roof of his luxurious house

During the investigation, the accused's luxurious house in Basundhara Colony, Nandan Vihar (Bhubaneswar), drew the officials' attention. It was discovered that the grand house, situated in a prime residential area, featured a swimming pool on its roof. The property is currently under scrutiny, and a detailed investigation is underway. Cash worth ₹5.39 lakh recovered

In addition to the residence in Bhubaneswar, the Vigilance team searched the ancestral home in Nayagarh, as well as the official residence and office chamber in Rayagada. During the operation, ₹3.39 lakh in cash was recovered from the government quarters in Rayagada. Including the ₹2 lakh bribe money, a total of ₹5.39 lakh in cash has been seized so far.

An FIR has been registered at the Koraput Vigilance Police Station under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Vigilance Department is investigating the accused's movable and immovable assets as well as their sources of income.

This action, taken just before retirement, has once again raised serious questions regarding corruption in government departments. All eyes are now fixed on the next phase of the investigation and potential revelations.