Archive · 13 Sep 2025
Odisha Civil Service Topper Arrested in Bribery Case
Aswini Kumar Panda, who topped the Odisha Civil Services exam in 2019, was arrested for taking a bribe.
He allegedly asked for Rs 20,000 to convert agricultural land but accepted Rs 15,000 through his driver.
The driver was also arrested.
The arrest followed a complaint and a trap by Vigilance authorities.
Panda worked as a Training Reserve Officer, tehsildar in Shamakhunta and then Bamra.
Searches of Panda's residence revealed a large sum of cash.
Aswini Kumar Panda, 2019 Odisha Civil Services topper, was arrested.
Panda was arrested for allegedly taking a bribe.
He demanded Rs 20,000 for converting agricultural land.
Panda accepted Rs 15,000 via his driver, who was also arrested.
Vigilance officials seized Rs 4.73 lakh in cash from Panda's residence.
- Who
- Aswini Kumar Panda, a Tehsildar in Odisha.
- What
- Was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe.
- When
- Friday.
- Where
- Bamra, Sambalpur district, Odisha.
- Why
- Allegedly demanded and accepted a bribe for converting agricultural land.
- Suspect
- Aswini Kumar Panda
- Role
- Tehsildar of Bamra
- Bribe Amount Demanded
- Rs 20,000
- Bribe Amount Accepted
- Rs 15,000
- Location of Arrest
- Bamra, Sambalpur district
- Cash Seized
- Rs 4.73 lakh
- Year of OAS Exam
- 2019
