Odisha School Principal Nabbed While Accepting ₹50,000 Bribe

Khordha: The principal of a government higher secondary school in Odisha’s Khordha district was arrested by the Vigilance Department today for accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The accused, Bidyutprabha Jena, allegedly demanded illegal payment from the spouse of an assistant librarian in exchange for expediting the clearance of the librarian’s salary arrears.

The assistant librarian, who had recently undergone brain surgery and was in dire need of funds, fell prey to the principal’s extortion. Desperate for his wife’s salary to be released, he reported the crime to the Vigilance Department. Acting swiftly, officials laid a trap and apprehended Jena in the act of accepting the bribe money from the assistant librarian’s spouse.

“The Vigilance sleuths successfully apprehended the principal while she was accepting the bribe. The entire bribe money has been recovered,” confirmed a Vigilance official. To uncover any potential ill-gotten wealth, simultaneous raids are currently underway at two locations linked to the principal.

Jena now faces charges under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and will be investigated for any further instances of misconduct or accumulation of disproportionate assets.