Income Tax ASO arrested by CBI for taking Rs 4,000 bribe in Bhadrak

In a corruption crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested an Assistant Section Officer (ASO) of the Income Tax Department in Odisha's Bhadrak district while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000.

The accused, identified as Ramesh Mohanty, was caught red-handed during a trap operation conducted by the central agency. According to preliminary information, the official had allegedly demanded Rs 4000 from the complainant for deleting a duplicate PAN card record.

Caught Red-Handed During Trap Operation

Sources said the complainant approached the CBI after the official allegedly sought a bribe to process the PAN-related issue. Acting on the complaint, the agency laid a trap and apprehended Mohanty while he was accepting the money.

The arrest is part of the CBI's ongoing efforts to curb corruption in government offices and ensure transparency in public services.

Searches Conducted at Income Tax Office

Following the arrest, CBI officials carried out searches at the Income Tax Department office in Charampa, Bhadrak, to gather further evidence related to the case. Investigators are examining documents and other records as part of the probe.

The agency is expected to question the accused and verify whether similar complaints exist against him. Further investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged bribery case.