Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya Principal Arrested for Rs 10,000 Bribe in Kalahandi

Vigilance officials arrested Sitakanta Rana, principal of Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya in Thuamul Rampur, Kalahandi, on 23 July 2026 for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a self-help group functionary to clear pending cleaning‑work bills. The SHG had been entrusted with cleaning work at the school but had not received payment for three months. After repeated requests for clearance of the dues, the functionary said Rana demanded Rs 10,000 to facilitate the release of the pending bills. Unable to meet the demand, the functionary lodged a complaint with the Vigilance department. Acting on the complaint, a Vigilance team laid a trap and apprehended Rana while he was allegedly accepting the bribe, recovering the full amount of Rs 10,000 from his possession. The operation was carried out by the Vigilance department based on the complaint filed by the SHG functionary.

What led to the arrest?

According to Vigilance, the self-help group had been entrusted with cleaning work at the Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya campus in Thuamul Rampur and had carried out the assigned tasks for three months without receiving any remuneration. The group's functionary approached Principal Sitakanta Rana on several occasions seeking clearance of the outstanding dues. Each time, Rana allegedly insisted that a payment of Rs 10,000 be made to him before he would authorize the release of the pending bills. The functionary, unable to arrange the sum, reported the matter to the Vigilance department, citing the demand as an illegal gratification. Vigilance officials, after verifying the complaint, decided to set up a trap. They arranged for the functionary to bring the agreed amount to a pre‑determined location under surveillance. When Rana was observed accepting the money, the team intervened and apprehended him red‑handed. The entire tainted amount of Rs 10,000 was recovered from his possession at the moment of arrest.

What happens next?

Following the arrest, Vigilance officials launched simultaneous searches at two locations linked to Rana to investigate possible disproportionate assets. A case has been registered at Koraput Vigilance police station under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. Further investigation is underway, and officials said a detailed report will be released after the searches and preliminary investigation are completed.

Related Coverage

• Kalahandi teen's snakebite death leads to 36‑hour postmortem delay
• Tal Kandaguda village lacks road, electricity in Kalahandi
• Ghumura Dance in Odisha: Origins and Significance