In a swift anti-corruption operation, the Odisha Vigilance department on Monday arrested Raghunath Das, the headmaster of Chadeiguan High School in the Mahakalapada block of Kendrapada district. The headmaster was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a night watchman of the same school. The bribe was demanded to facilitate the processing of the watchman's pending arrear salary.
Background of the Case
Khirod Das, a newly appointed night watchman at the school, had not received his salary since joining in August 2025. For months, he repeatedly requested the accused headmaster to submit his attendance sheet to the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) at the office of the District Education Officer (DEO) in Kendrapada. However, the headmaster allegedly demanded a bribe to complete the necessary paperwork.
Complaint and Trap
Frustrated by the headmaster's persistent demand for money, the night watchman approached the Vigilance authorities. Acting on his complaint, a team of Odisha Vigilance officers laid a trap and apprehended the headmaster on Monday as he was accepting the bribe amount. The entire Rs 5,000 was recovered from his possession.
Legal Action
The accused headmaster has been taken into custody and further investigation is underway. The Vigilance department is expected to file a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. This arrest sends a strong message against corruption in the education sector, where vulnerable employees often face exploitation.
This incident highlights the vigilance department's commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels. The night watchman's courage in reporting the matter has been widely appreciated. The school administration and local education authorities are likely to face scrutiny to prevent such incidents in the future.
