Sundargarh: Vigilance sleuths Saturday arrested the District Industry Centre General Manager Mahendra Patel while he was accepting `5,000 from a beneficiary.
A case was registered and Patel was produced in vigilance court, sources said.
According to sources, Manoj Sahu, in a bid to construct a (flyash brick factory) approached Patel for permit documents. Patel demanded `6,000 to prepare necessary project reports for the brick factory. Manoj pleaded to pay `1,500 and hand over the rest after the preparation of the project report.
However, Manoj declined his offer and made him run from pillar to post for months. Availing no option, Manoj approached Sambalpur vigilance officials and narrated his ordeal.
A team led by Sambalpur vigilance DSP Birendra Kumar Naik including Sundargarh vigilance DSP Parmeswar Kishan, Jharsuguda inspector Sudhanshu Pujari, PK Aind, Sundargarh inspector JP Patel and Rourkela inspector Bhaskar Chandra Prusty conducted a raid at Patel’s office Saturday.
Meanwhile, Manoj took chemical-laced notes and handed it over to Patel in his office. Officials disguised in plain clothes approached Manoj and raided his office.
Cunningly, Patel threw away the notes behind cupboard in his office after spotting officials.
However, officials recovered the currency notes and arrested Patel.
A case was registered and Patel was produced in Sundargarh vigilance court. A simultaneous raid was also conducted at Patel’s residence, it was learnt. PNN
