Odisha Vigilance takes major action, officer arrested red-handed
Koraput: Odisha Vigilance, in a major action as part of its anti-corruption campaign, arrested Satyajit Raut, Deputy Director of Geology-cum-Deputy Director of Mines, posted at Jeypore in Koraput district, red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. After the arrest, Vigilance officials conducted simultaneous raids at several of his locations, from where additional cash was also recovered. Till now a total of Rs 4.90 lakh cash has been seized in this case.
According to the Vigilance Department, Satyajit Raut is accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from the leaseholder of a sand mine. According to the complaint, this bribe was demanded in exchange for extension of sand lease after the expiry of its period and for providing benefits in future spot auction of sand sources.
Trap laid after complaint
When the Vigilance officers received the complaint of alleged bribery, they conducted a preliminary investigation into the entire matter. After the allegations made in the complaint were confirmed, the Vigilance team prepared the trap operation in a planned manner.
As per the prescribed plan, the complainant approached the officer with the bribe amount. As soon as Satyajit Raut accepted a bribe of Rs 2 lakh, the vigilance officers already present caught him red handed. During the operation, the entire bribe amount of Rs 2 lakh was recovered and seized as evidence.
Raids at many places after arrest
Immediately after the arrest, the Vigilance Department conducted a simultaneous search operation at various locations of Raut to investigate disproportionate assets.
Officials simultaneously raided his residence at Lingaraj Nagar in Jeypore, his house at Vidyadharpur in Cuttack and his property at Olkana in Mahanga area of Cuttack district. During the search, documents, bank records and evidence related to other financial transactions were also examined.
Rs 2.90 lakh cash found from home
During the search operation, the vigilance team recovered Rs 2.90 lakh in cash from his residence in Jeypore. The authorities also confiscated this amount. Including Rs 2 lakh recovered during bribery, a total of Rs 4.90 lakh in cash has been seized in this case so far.
Apart from this, vigilance officials are also examining the movable and immovable properties, bank accounts, investments, documents and other financial records of the accused. If the investigation finds evidence of assets disproportionate to known sources of income, additional legal action can also be taken against the accused.
Case registered under anti-corruption law
Odisha Vigilance has registered Koraput Vigilance Police Station Case No. 14/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 in this matter. This section applies to offenses relating to demanding or accepting bribe by a public servant.
The department says that a detailed investigation of the case is going on and all the facts are being thoroughly investigated. During the investigation, financial transactions, assets and other related aspects of the accused will also be examined.
Strictness on corruption in mining department
According to vigilance officials, maintaining transparency in matters related to mining and mineral resources is the priority of the government. In such cases, prompt action is being taken when complaints of bribery and corruption are received so that transparency is maintained in government processes and illegal activities can be curbed.
Officials said that if any kind of bribe is demanded by any government official, citizens should immediately report it to the Vigilance Department. The identity of the complainant is kept confidential and necessary legal action is taken after proper investigation.
investigation ongoing
At present, Satyajit Raut is being interrogated and the vigilance team is analyzing the evidence collected against him. Officials say that after the completion of the investigation, if involvement of other people comes to light then action will be taken against them as per rules.
This action is being considered an important step in the ongoing campaign against corruption of Odisha Vigilance. The department has clarified that strict action will be taken as per law against any officer found involved in bribery or corruption while holding public office.
