Bhubaneswar, Nov. 30 -- In a significant crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance on Saturday apprehended Bijay Kumar Grahacharya, an Amin of Nimapara NAC in Puri district, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 17,000. The amount was reportedly the final instalment of an overall Rs 30,000 bribe sought for processing a building plan approval file.

According to the Vigilance Directorate, the complainant had applied for building plan approval in March 2025. Despite repeated follow-ups, Grahacharya allegedly delayed initiating the file without any justifiable reason and demanded Rs 33,000 to process the application. After the applicant expressed an inability to pay the full sum, the demand was reduced to Rs 30,000.

Officials ...