Bhubaneswar, Jan. 6 -- In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Odisha Vigilance Department caught a forest officer red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000. The officer, Ashok Kumar Nayak, serves as the Range Forest Officer at the Muribahal Range in Bolangir district.

According to sources, a local resident, Kaushik Kumar Bhoi, had approached Nayak seeking permission to cut Rengal trees in the area. However, Nayak allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 to facilitate the clearance.

Finding no other option, Bhoi approached Vigilance and lodged a complaint with the Bolangir Vigilance authorities. Acting promptly, the officials of the anti-corruption agency laid a trap, and Nayak was apprehended while receiving the ...