Bhubaneswar: A Special Vigilance Court in Sundaragada on Monday sentenced former Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Banai Police Station in Sundaragada district, Pravakar Panda (retired), and his wife Geetanjali Patra, former Assistant Teacher at Government High School, Jhirpani, Rourkela (retired), to undergo rigorous imprisonment (RI) for one year each in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.
According to an official press release, the duo had been charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
The Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh, held both accused guilty and awarded them one year of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1,00,000 each.
The court further directed the State Government to initiate steps for recovery of the disproportionate assets from both movable and immovable properties belonging to the convicts.
Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance is likely to move the competent authority for stoppage of pension benefits of both Pravakar Panda and Geetanjali Patra.
Further proceedings in the matter are awaited.
