Dive for Justice: Former SI Arrested After Dramatic Pond Escape Attempt
A former Sub-Inspector in Sambalpur was arrested by Odisha Vigilance after a dramatic pond chase following a Rs 10,000 bribe attempt.
In a cinematic turn of events, the Odisha Vigilance department has apprehended a former police Sub-Inspector (SI) in Sambalpur for allegedly accepting a bribe. The operation took an unexpected turn when the accused, identified as Sujit Kumar Mohanta, attempted to evade capture by leaping into a pond.
The Bribe and the Trap
The incident unfolded on November 5, when Sujit Kumar Mohanta allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 to settle a legal case registered against an individual. Acting on this information, a team from the Odisha Vigilance department laid a trap to catch the former officer red-handed.
According to Pradyumna Kumar Dwivedi, SP of Odisha Vigilance, the team moved in to apprehend Mohanta the moment he accepted the illicit payment on Tuesday evening.
A Desperate Escape Attempt
As the Vigilance officials closed in, the situation escalated into a chase. Realising he was trapped, Mohanta attempted to flee toward the local police station. However, finding his path blocked by the officers, he made a desperate move toward a nearby pond.
In a final attempt to destroy the evidence, Mohanta threw the tainted currency notes into the water before jumping in himself. The escape attempt was short-lived, as a determined member of the Vigilance team dove into the pond, apprehended the accused, and successfully recovered the money from the water.
The 'Red-Handed' Proof
The evidence against the former SI was not just the recovered cash but also a scientific chemical test. The currency notes used in the trap had been treated with a specific chemical. Upon apprehension, officials examined Mohanta's hands and the bag he was carrying.
"We observed that the water turned red due to the chemical reaction with the treated currency," SP Pradyumna Kumar Dwivedi stated, confirming the physical contact between the accused and the bribe money.
Shocking Discovery During Search
The investigation did not end with the arrest. When Vigilance officials conducted a subsequent search of Mohanta's room at the police station, they uncovered a significant amount of unexplained wealth.
- Additional Cash Found: Rs 1,55,700 in cash was recovered from his room.
- No Explanation: The accused was unable to provide any legitimate source for the additional funds.
- Action Taken: The entire amount was seized by the authorities.
A formal case has been registered under the jurisdiction of Sambalpur Division-1. While the procedures regarding the original case for which the bribe was demanded have been completed, further investigations are currently underway to uncover more details regarding the former officer's activities.