In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Odisha Vigilance department apprehended Dhumaram Murmu, the Assistant Civil Supplies Officer (ACSO) of Champua block in Keonjhar district, on Wednesday. The officer was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a representative of a farmers' cooperative society.
Details of the Trap
According to a press release from the Odisha Vigilance department, Murmu was arrested at his office premises during the alleged acceptance of the bribe. The amount was demanded in connection with the settlement of dues related to paddy procurement under the current Kharif Marketing Season.
Sources revealed that paddy had been procured through the Large Area Multipurpose Society (LAMPS), but the ACSO had repeatedly failed to release the payments despite multiple requests from the society. The officer allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 15,000 to clear the pending amount.
Complaint and Investigation
The managing director of the LAMPS lodged a formal complaint with the Vigilance department, prompting an immediate response. A carefully planned trap was laid, leading to Murmu's arrest. Simultaneously, raids were conducted at various locations, including his official residence and other properties, to gather evidence of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
A case has been registered against Murmu at the Balasore Vigilance police station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The investigation is currently underway, and further details are expected to emerge.
Allegations of Systematic Corruption
It is alleged that the ACSO had been systematically demanding bribes from multiple paddy procurement centres in the Champua area. With only two years left before his retirement, the arrest has raised serious questions about the extent of corruption within the department.
The Vigilance department has assured the public that all necessary legal procedures will be followed, and no stone will be left unturned in the pursuit of justice. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against corruption in public service.
