Bhubaneswar: A Vigilance court in Balangir on Monday sentenced two retired forest officials to three years’ rigorous imprisonment each in a bribery case involving the demand and acceptance of Rs 1.66 lakh, officials said.
Special Judge, Vigilance, Balangir convicted Pranab Kumar Mohanty, former Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kendu Leaf, Patnagarh Division, and Chittaranjan Dehury, former Deputy Range Officer, Kendu Leaf, Ghasian South Range, Patnagarh, in the case, the Odisha Vigilance said in a statement.
The court also imposed a fine on each of the convicts.
The duo had been charge-sheeted by the Odisha Vigilance in connection with Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station Case No. 13, registered on June 8, 2020, under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
According to the Vigilance, Mohanty and Dehury had demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 1.66 lakh from a Range Officer under Patnagarh Range in Balangir for releasing funds towards the repair and maintenance of Kendu Leaf Phadies (godowns).
Both accused officials have since retired from service.
Following their conviction, Odisha Vigilance said it would move the competent authority for stoppage of pension of both Mohanty and Dehury.
