Superintendent of Excise of Ganjam district Barendra Nath Dhala, OAS-I (SB), was arrested for taking bribe on Saturday.Dhala had demanded bribe of Rs 15,000 from B Wadharajulu Reddy of Barrak Sahi, Chhatrapur, in order to facilitate him to conduct business of his Rekapalli foreign liquor shop smoothly.
Following Reddy’s complaint, a trap was laid at Dhala’s office premises by Vigilance officers on Saturday. As per the instruction of Dhala, Reddy handed over the bribe amount to Excise Constable Abhiram Pattnaik, who was on duty in the office of Dhala. Patnaik received the bribe money from Reddy and kept it in his shirt pocket.
Patnaik was caught by the Vigilance officers with the bribe amount. When confronted, he admitted to have received the bribe as per Dhala’s instruction. Patnaik was also arrested along with Dhala.