Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 (IANS): The Odisha vigilance department on Wednesday arrested two excise officials for demanding and accepting Rs 1.5 lakh bribe from a foreign liquor vendor, the police said.
The arrested officials have been identified as Ajit Kumar Mohapatra, in-charge superintendent of excise, Deogarh, and Mathura Mohan Pradhan, ASI of excise, Barkote, the vigilance department said in a statement.
According to the vigilance department, Mohapatra had demanded Rs 3 lakh from the vendor in two instalments through the ASI. Based on the above complaint, the vigilance laid a trap wherein the excise superintendent was caught red-handed.
Simultaneous searches were carried out at Mohapatra's house in Berhampur, his rented house in Deogarh as well as the residence of Pradhan in Purunapani in Deogarh district, officials said.
A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the law.