Keonjhar, Nov 6: Odisha Vigilance arrested Biplab Keshari Samantaray, District Social Security Officer (DSSO) of Keonjhar, on Thursday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from an NGO through PhonePe, a digital payment platform.

The bribe was reportedly taken to facilitate agreements and expedite the release of grant-in-aid payments under various government social security schemes. The arrest follows multiple complaints from NGOs and individuals alleging that Samantaray had been collecting bribes in exchange for official clearances and financial approvals.

According to Odisha Vigilance, preliminary scrutiny revealed a large number of suspicious PhonePe transactions linked to Samantaray, his family members, and office staff. These transactions are currently under verification to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption.

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A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, bearing Vigilance Cell Division PS Case No. 11/2025. Samantaray is expected to be produced in court later on Thursday.

Following the arrest, simultaneous Disproportionate Assets (DA) searches were conducted at three of Samantaray’s known locations.

Investigators unearthed details of 10 plots in and around Bhubaneswar registered in the names of Samantaray and his family. Additionally, assets including a three-storey building (approx. 3000 sq ft), a simplex house, and a three-acre farmhouse in Madanpur, Bhubaneswar have been identified and are under scrutiny.

Odisha Vigilance officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and further revelations are expected as digital and property records are examined.

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