Vigilance team arrests woman BDO in Jalaun while taking Rs 1 lakh bribe

A woman Block Development Officer was arrested by a vigilance team in UP’s Jalaun district after she was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh at her government residence.

BDO Pratibha Shalya had allegedly demanded the bribe from a contractor in exchange for clearing a payment of Rs 9 lakh for completed construction work on Wednesday night.

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Officials here said on Thursday that contractor Vivek Kumar had carried out interlocking work worth Rs 9.86 lakh at a primary school campus in Dhamna. Even after completion, his payment had been pending for nearly four months. The BDO allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh to process the payment, prompting the contractor to file a complaint with the Jhansi Vigilance Establishment Department around 20 days ago.

Following the complaint, the vigilance team began a discreet investigation, monitoring the BDO’s activities around her government residence and the block office. On Wednesday, under a planned operation, the contractor sent a message to the BDO regarding pending documents. She called him to her official residence, unaware that the vigilance team, dressed in civilian clothes, was already stationed nearby.

As soon as the BDO took the Rs 1 lakh in cash, the team raided the spot. In an attempt to escape, she threw the money and tried to flee. She was chased and apprehended by woman head constables Kiran Pal and Hemlata. She was then taken to the Kadaura police station for questioning.

The vigilance team seized the cash, documents, and other evidence from the spot, sealing them after verification. The entire operation was recorded on video. Vigilance chief Piyush Pandey stated that action was taken only after confirming the allegations.

A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the officer will be produced before the Anti-Corruption Court in Lucknow on Thursday.

Earlier, BDO Pratibha Shalya was transferred from Jhansi to Jalaun in 2023, initially posted at the Kuthond development block, later shifted to Konch in 2024, and then to Kadaura in 2025. In the Ukasa village of Kadaura block, she faced complaints involving irregular payments and other allegations. After investigation, the Directorate in Lucknow found five charges to be valid and suspended her on March 21, 2025.

She challenged the suspension in the High Court and received relief. Following the court’s order, she was reinstated as BDO of Kadaura block—until her arrest on Wednesday.