PhD holder arrested in Odisha for posing as vigilance officer, extorting money from officials

"It has also been ascertained that the accused had cheated some persons by promising to arrange government jobs,” said a senior STF official.

The accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar Majhi. (Photo: STF)

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The special task force (STF) of Odisha Police on Sunday arrested a PhD holder on charges of cheating, forgery and extortion by posing as a vigilance officer.

The accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar Majhi, a resident of Phulbari village under Krushnaprasad block in Puri district. He has a PhD from Sambalpur University, besides an MSc in chemistry. STF sources said Majhi extorted money from 15 officials, including engineers, senior administrative officers and district-level officials.

He was arrested based on a complaint by an additional chief engineer who alleged that Majhi posed as the superintendent of police (vigilance) and demanded Rs 1 crore from him. Subsequently, STF officials raided the house of the accused on Saturday.

“During interrogation, the accused admitted that he was trying to extort money from various government officials as well as some contractors by presenting himself as a senior vigilance officer. It has also been ascertained that the accused had cheated some persons by promising to arrange government jobs,” said a senior STF official. Further probe is underway.

Sujit Bisoyi

Sujit Bisoyi is a Special Correspondent with the Indian Express and covers Odisha. His interests are in politics, policy and people’s stories. He tweets at @bisoyisujit87 ... Read More

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