Odisha police Sub-Inspector arrested after jumping into pond to evade vigilance
Sujit Kumar Mohanta allegedly demanded a Rs 10,000 bribe to finalise a miscellaneous case in Sambalpur district.
Odisha Vigilance officials apprehended Sujit Kumar Mohanta, a Sub-Inspector at Mahulpali Police Station in Sambalpur, on Wednesday evening. According to reports from Pragativadi and India Today, Mohanta allegedly demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 10,000 to finalise a miscellaneous case in which he was the investigating officer.
The officer had summoned the complainant to a secluded spot outside the police station to collect the money. After accepting the bribe, Mohanta spotted the approaching vigilance team and attempted to flee. He jumped into a nearby pond to evade arrest, but a vigilance official swam after him and apprehended him in the water.
Vigilance officials recovered the Rs 10,000 bribe from his possession. Following the arrest, authorities conducted searches related to a disproportionate assets probe. During these searches, officials found an additional Rs 1,55,700 in cash kept in an envelope within Mohanta’s restroom inside the police station.
The Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station has registered Case No. 21/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. Mohanta joined the Odisha Police in 2021 through direct recruitment as a Sub-Inspector.
Investigation is continuing as vigilance officials conduct further searches and verification of the accused officer's assets.