Kendujhar District Labour Officer arrested by Odisha Vigilance in bribery case

Kendujhar, Aug 31 (IANS) The Odisha Vigilance Department has apprehended Akash Bisoi, Odisha Labour Service serving as the District Labour Officer (DLO) at Kendujhar, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from an electrical contractor in connection with the issuance of a labour licence for the contractor’s agency.

According to information released by the Vigilance Department on Sunday, the contractor had been assigned electrical installation work by TP Northern Odisha Distribution Limited and required a labour license to engage workers for execution of the project.

The contractor had submitted an online application for the license on August 14, 2026, in accordance with the rules of the Odisha Labour and Employees’ State Insurance Department, the department said.

The Vigilance Department said that when the contractor enquired about the status of the license on August 16, Bisoi allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 for issuing the license in favour of the contractor’s agency.

Following the alleged demand, the contractor approached the Odisha Vigilance authorities and complained of harassment by the District Labour Officer.

Based on the complaint, Vigilance officials laid a trap on Sunday.

Bisoi was allegedly caught while demanding and accepting Rs 20,000 from the complainant in Kendujhar.

The entire alleged tainted bribe amount of Rs 20,000 was recovered from the possession of the accused officer and subsequently seized by the Vigilance team, officials said.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches were launched at two locations linked to Bisoi as part of a disproportionate assets (DA) angle, according to the department.

The Odisha Vigilance Department has registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

The department said that an investigation into the allegations against Bisoi is currently underway.

Further details are expected after completion of the searches and investigation.

Officials said more crucial evidence and details related to those involved are being explored to make the case water tight.

The Odisha authorities are reportedly on alert to check alleged corruption and bribery in government offices and public services.

–IANS

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