Bhubaneswar: A Special Vigilance Court in Berhampur on Wednesday sentenced Bhuban Mohan Dash, former Area Manager of MARKFED, Jagannathpur in Ganjam district, to three years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹50,000 for misappropriation of government funds.
Dash, who had earlier been dismissed from service, was convicted by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur in a case registered by Odisha Vigilance under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 of the IPC.
According to the prosecution, while serving as Area Manager, Dash misappropriated government money amounting to ₹20,64,600 by manipulating official records and unauthorisedly releasing advances to private individuals for the supply of seeds, causing substantial loss to the public exchequer.
The Vigilance investigation established that the accused abused his official position to divert government funds without following prescribed procedures and norms.
Notably, this is not the first conviction against Dash. He was earlier convicted on October 31, 2023 by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Phulbani, and subsequently convicted twice more on May 4, 2024 and November 30, 2024 by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur, in separate cases involving misappropriation of government funds.
Odisha Vigilance officials said the conviction once again underscores the agency’s continued crackdown on corruption and financial irregularities involving public servants.
