Bhubaneswar: In a significant verdict in a corruption case linked to the MGNREGS, a Special Judge (Vigilance), Keonjhar on Monday sentenced two former panchayat functionaries of Keonjhar district to three years of rigorous imprisonment each and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on both.
The convicts are Sadananda Naik, former Sarpanch, and Sripada Naik, former Gram Sanjojoka of Sadangi Gram Panchayat under Champua block.
The court held the duo guilty in a case registered by Odisha Vigilance for misappropriation of government funds in connection with road works executed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREG) scheme in Champua block. They had been charge-sheeted under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Sections 409, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the prosecution, the accused misappropriated public money by preparing inflated bills and by falsifying muster rolls for MGNREGS road construction works, thereby causing wrongful loss to the government exchequer and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves. After examining the evidence placed on record by the Vigilance wing, the Special Judge found both accused guilty and pronounced the sentence on December 15, 2025.
Odisha Vigilance officials said the conviction reinforces the agency’s stand against corruption and financial irregularities in the implementation of welfare schemes meant for rural development and employment generation.
