PRAYAGRAJ, Dec. 19 -- Arrests of government employees caught taking bribes have jumped sharply in Prayagraj division, climbing from 11 in 2023 and 24 in 2024 to 29 this year, according to data from the vigilance and anti-corruption organisation, Uttar Pradesh Police.

Officials say the increase reflects growing public awareness rather than just rising corruption.

Across Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Fatehpur and Kaushambi districts, 29 officials and employees were allegedly caught red-handed accepting bribes in the past 12 months.

"People have begun to raise their voice when government employees demand money for legitimate work," a vigilance department official said. "Complaints are reaching our teams more frequently, enabling us to take swift...