ASSISTANT FISHERIES OFFICER( AFO), POLASARA, NABBED BY VIGILANCE WHILE TAKING BRIBE RS 8,000/

Polasara,15/10/2025: Suresh Kumar Behera, Asst. Fisheries Officer( AFO), Polasara, Dist-Ganjam has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance while demanding and taking bribe from a beneficiary (Complainant) under Assistance to Network Fish Seed Growers scheme to release the subsidy amount approx Rs.1.38 Lakhs and money receipt for procurement of spawn. As per the provision of the scheme, beneficiary is entitled to get 60% of the amount invested in the project. Further, beneficiary had invested an amount of Rs.2, 31,390/- for fish feed, etc, including an amount of Rs.43,000/-( for procuring fish spawn through AFO Sri Behera) in the project. But, accused Sri Behera was not issuing money receipt against payment of Rs.43,000/- in favour of complt for procurement of Spawn from Govt hatchery at Bhanjanagar. Despite several requests made by complt, accused Sri Behera, AFO was delaying the process for no cause, rather insisting complt to pay him the demanded bribe Rs.8,000/- through digital mode ( Phonepe) to release the above mentioned subsidy amount and the money receipt against payment of Rs.43,000/-. Being aggrieved, complt reported the matter to vigilance authorities alleging harassment by Sri Behera, AFO. Following this, a team of Odisha Vigilance nabbed accused Sri Suresh Kumar Behera today while taking the bribe amount through digital mode (Phonepe) in his mobile number from the complt. Just after transaction of the bribe amount from complt to the mobile number of accused, mobile phone of Sri Behera has been seized by the Vigilance Officials. Following the successful trap, simultaneous searches are going on at two locations linked to Sri Behera, AFO, from DA angle. In this connection, Berhampur Vigilance P.S. Case No.15 dt. 15.10.2025 u/s 7 P. C. (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered. Investigation is in progress against accused Sri Behera, AFO. Detailed report follows.