Odisha Vigilance arrests land acquisition officer in Sambalpur bribery case
Special Land Acquisition Officer Ajay Kumar Garanaik was caught while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3.10 lakh from a landowner.
Odisha Vigilance apprehended Ajay Kumar Garanaik, a Special Land Acquisition Officer for the Sambalpur-Talcher Doubling Rail Line Project, on Monday. According to Kalinga TV, the officer was caught while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3.10 lakh from a landowner in Sambalpur.
Garanaik had reportedly demanded a total of Rs 5.10 lakh to facilitate the release of Rs 84,62,288 in land acquisition compensation. He also allegedly promised to provide favour during future proceedings for the third railway line project.
The officer had previously received Rs 2 lakh from the complainant on October 27, 2026. He allegedly threatened the landowner with difficulties during future land acquisition processes if the remaining Rs 3.10 lakh was not paid immediately.
Vigilance officials laid a trap and recovered the tainted amount of Rs 3.10 lakh from the possession of the accused. Following the arrest, authorities began searching three locations connected to Garanaik to check for assets that may exceed his known income.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.