Begunia, (15/10):The Odisha Vigilance Department today caught Smruti Jayasingh, a Data Entry Operator (DEO) posted at the Begunia Tehsil Office of khordha- District, red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹8,000 from a complainant.According to official sources, the accused had demanded the bribe from Shishir Mangaraj of Gadmanitri village to process an online land conversion file from agricultural to non-agricultural (residential) use. The complainant had submitted the online application on September 1, 2025, but the DEO allegedly delayed the process and insisted on payment to move the file forward.Following a formal complaint, Vigilance officials laid a trap and caught Jayasingh red-handed while accepting the bribe amount. The entire ₹8,000 was recovered from her possession.Subsequently, Vigilance teams conducted simultaneous searches at her residence in Begunia and her in-laws’ house in Barapada. The searches led to the seizure of gold ornaments weighing around 240 grams and ₹1.72 lakh in cash.A case has been registered at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 23 dated 14.10.2025) under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.Local residents have alleged that Jayasingh had a history of demanding money for issuing caste, income, and residence certificates.
She was also accused of accepting bribes in land-related matters such as mutation and patta processing.Residents further claimed that irregularities have been rampant at the Begunia Tehsil Office for years, and have urged the government to take firm steps to ensure transparency and accountability in public services.
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