Odisha Vigilance arrests livestock inspector for ₹80,000 bribe in Nabarangpur
Synopsis
A livestock inspector in Odisha's Nabarangpur district was caught red-handed allegedly accepting ₹80,000 to release a dairy subsidy — and searches at his home turned up an additional ₹8.24 lakh in unexplained cash. The arrest, part of Odisha Vigilance's sustained anti-corruption drive, puts a spotlight on how welfare schemes for marginal farmers can be held hostage by mid-level officials.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Vigilance arrested Prafulla Haldar , Livestock Inspector at Raighar, Nabarangpur , on 27 June .
Haldar allegedly demanded ₹80,000 to release a subsidy under the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana .
He also allegedly threatened to block subsidies of other beneficiaries from the same village.
The full bribe of ₹80,000 was recovered; chemical tests on his hands confirmed contact with tainted notes.
Searches at his residence yielded ₹8.24 lakh in cash; source is under investigation.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act ; Haldar is to be produced before court.
Odisha Vigilance on Friday, 27 June arrested a Livestock Inspector (LI) in Nabarangpur district for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹80,000 from a dairy farmer beneficiary under the state government's Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana — a scheme designed to support small-scale dairy units. The accused has been identified as Prafulla Haldar, posted at Raighar under the office of Nabarangpur Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO) Radheshyam Laik.
How the Trap Was Laid
The complainant, a beneficiary selected under the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana, alleged that Haldar demanded ₹80,000 to release the subsidy amount owed to her or him. Haldar allegedly went further, threatening to block subsidies not only for the complainant but also for other beneficiaries from the same village if the bribe was not paid.
Left with no recourse, the beneficiary approached Odisha Vigilance and filed a formal complaint. Acting on it, Vigilance officials set up a sting operation on Friday, during which Haldar was caught allegedly in the act of receiving the bribe. The entire ₹80,000 was recovered from his possession and seized before witnesses.
Chemical Tests Confirm Handling of Tainted Notes
Chemical tests conducted on the wash of both of Haldar's hands returned positive results, confirming he had handled the tainted currency notes, according to Vigilance officials. This forensic step is standard procedure in Odisha Vigilance trap cases and strengthens the evidentiary basis of the arrest.
Searches Yield ₹8.24 Lakh in Cash
Following the arrest, Vigilance teams conducted simultaneous searches at Haldar's office chamber and his residence at Raighar. During the house search, officials recovered and seized cash amounting to ₹8.24 lakh. The source of this cash is under verification as part of the ongoing investigation.
Legal Action and What Comes Next
A case has been registered against Haldar under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He is expected to be produced before a competent court following completion of the required formalities. Odisha Vigilance confirmed that further investigation is underway.
This arrest is part of Odisha Vigilance's continuing crackdown on corrupt public servants — a campaign that has seen multiple trap operations across state departments in recent months. The case raises questions about the integrity of subsidy-disbursement mechanisms under welfare schemes targeting marginal farmers.
Point of View
But they are reactive by design; they catch individuals after harm is done. The structural fix — digitising subsidy disbursement to eliminate human chokepoints — remains unfinished business across most state welfare schemes.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by Odisha Vigilance in the Nabarangpur bribe case?
Prafulla Haldar , a Livestock Inspector posted at Raighar under the Nabarangpur Chief District Veterinary Officer's office, was arrested on 27 June. He was caught allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹80,000 from a dairy farmer beneficiary.
What is the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana?
It is an Odisha state government scheme that provides subsidy support to dairy farmers for setting up dairy units with one to five cows. The scheme targets small and marginal farmers seeking to establish or expand dairy livelihoods.
How much bribe was allegedly demanded, and what was recovered?
Haldar allegedly demanded ₹80,000 to release the complainant's subsidy. The entire amount was recovered from his possession at the time of the trap. An additional ₹8.24 lakh in cash was seized from his residence during subsequent searches.
What legal action has been taken against Prafulla Haldar?
A case has been registered against Haldar under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He is expected to be produced before a competent court after completion of the required legal formalities. Investigation is ongoing.
How did Odisha Vigilance confirm that Haldar handled the bribe money?
Chemical tests conducted on the wash of both hands of the accused returned positive results, confirming he had handled the tainted currency notes. This forensic test is a standard step in Odisha Vigilance trap operations.
