Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance has registered a bribery case against Akshaya Kumar Sethy, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Nachuni Police Station in Khordha district, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 to settle a land dispute case before fleeing with the money after spotting the Vigilance team.

According to Vigilance officials, the incident occurred late on July 10 when Sethy allegedly accepted the bribe from the complainant before escaping from the spot on his motorcycle.

The complainant had lodged a case at Nachuni Police Station on July 5, 2026, over a land dispute. The opposing party also filed a counter-case on the same day. Sethy was assigned as the Investigating Officer for both cases.

Later that evening, both parties reached a mutual compromise. However, despite the settlement, Sethy allegedly demanded Rs 10,000—Rs 5,000 from each party—to dispose of the cases at the police station level.

As the complainant was scheduled to return to his workplace outside Odisha, he requested the ASI to expedite the disposal of the case. Sethy allegedly instructed him to bring an affidavit along with Rs 5,000 on July 10, assuring him that the matter would then be finalised.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached Odisha Vigilance, following which a trap was laid.

Officer flees on motorcycle after accepting Rs 5,000 bribe

Vigilance officials said they maintained surveillance from a distance as the ASI accepted the tainted money. However, before the team could apprehend him, Sethy noticed the approaching officers and fled from the secluded location on his motorcycle, carrying the Rs 5,000 bribe amount with him.

Following the incident, Odisha Vigilance launched simultaneous searches at locations linked to the accused ASI in the presence of officials from Nachuni Police Station.

A case has been registered at Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station under Case No. 16 dated July 10, 2026, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the absconding ASI. Vigilance officials said further investigation into the case is in progress.