Rourkela: Vigilance sleuths arrested a deputy range officer in Sundargarh district on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 18,000 from a vehicle owner.Asit Pattanayak (58), who serves as deputy ranger in Bisra range under Rourkela forest division, was caught while accepting the bribe from Niranjan Sahu, the complainant. The money was allegedly demanded to release hire charges for Sahu’s vehicle used for official purposes in April, with a promise to re-engage the vehicle from May.According to vigilance officers, Sahu approached the anti-corruption wing after Pattanayak insisted on the bribe payment. A trap was subsequently laid, leading to the officer’s arrest while accepting the money. The entire amount has been recovered and seized from Pattanayak’s possession.“Simultaneous searches are being conducted at four locations linked to the officer to investigate possible disproportionate assets,” said a vigilance department spokesperson.A case has been registered at Rourkela vigilance police station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Pattanayak has been detained for further interrogation.TNN