A Block Education Office (BEO) accountant in Kujanga, Jagatsinghpur district, was arrested by Odisha Vigilance on Thursday for allegedly taking a bribe. Suryakanta Swain was apprehended in his office after accepting Rs 5,000 from a teacher. The bribe was related to the processing of a house building advance of Rs 1,50,000 that had been sanctioned for the teacher. Despite the approval, Swain had delayed the bill’s preparation, demanding the bribe for its release. The teacher, left with no recourse, informed the Vigilance authorities. The subsequent operation resulted in the accountant’s capture and recovery of the bribe money. Authorities are also searching two properties linked to Swain to examine any potential disproportionate assets. Vigilance has initiated a case and is conducting further investigations.
