Pharmacist Exposes Alleged Rs 1 Lakh Bribe Demand, Civil Surgeon Arrested

The doctor was arrested by the ACB's Bilaspur unit during a trap operation conducted on the night of July 23. The complainant, Ganga Prasad Ratnakar, is a Grade-II pharmacist originally posted at the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) office in Portha, Sakti district. He had been working on attachment at the Sakti District Hospital since February 2026.

According to the complaint, Ratnakar alleged that although he had been performing his duties, his salary for May and June 2026 had not been processed because the required salary records had not been forwarded to the CMHO office. He claimed that the doctor demanded ₹20,000 per month for forwarding his salary-related documents for the period from February to June 2026, taking the total alleged bribe demand to ₹1 lakh.

Instead of paying the amount, the pharmacist approached the ACB and lodged a formal complaint. After verifying the allegations and finding prima facie evidence, the anti-corruption agency planned a trap operation. The accused allegedly instructed the complainant to bring the money to Dabhra, where the two agreed to meet near Dabhra College Chowk.

At around 9 pm, the complainant arrived at the location in a Scorpio vehicle carrying the marked currency notes provided by the ACB. Investigators stated that the doctor entered the vehicle and accepted the cash, following which the ACB team, which had been keeping surveillance, immediately intervened and apprehended him. Officials recovered the entire ₹1 lakh bribe amount from his possession at the spot.

A case has been registered against the accused under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and further investigation is underway to determine whether any other officials were involved in the alleged bribery, reports The Times of India.

Also Read: Odisha Pharmacy Council Official, Associate Arrested for Taking Rs 9,000 Bribe