Odisha Sub-Inspector jumps into pond to evade vigilance officials
An officer was apprehended after a chase involving a pond following an alleged Rs 10,000 bribe demand in Sambalpur district.
An Odisha Police Sub-Inspector, Sujit Kumar Mohanta, allegedly jumped into a pond on Wednesday to escape vigilance officials after being caught taking a bribe, according to India Today.
Mohanta, who was posted at the Mahulpali Police Station in Sambalpur district, was the investigating officer in a miscellaneous case. He allegedly demanded and accepted Rs 10,000 from a complainant to finalise the matter.
The Odisha Vigilance reported that the officer met the complainant at a quiet location outside the police station on Wednesday evening. After taking the money, Mohanta spotted the vigilance team and attempted to run away.
Vigilance officials chased the officer along a road before he jumped into a nearby pond. One member of the team swam after him to help take the accused into custody, and the Rs 10,000 bribe was recovered.
Following the incident, officials searched locations linked to Mohanta and found an additional Rs 1,55,700 in cash inside an envelope in his police station rest room. This was part of a disproportionate assets probe.
A case has been registered against Mohanta at the Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigations into his assets are ongoing.