Hemsagar Mahapatra, a retired Revenue Inspector from Lakhanpur Revenue Circle under Ambhabona Tehsil, Bargarh district, has been convicted in a vigilance trap case.
The Special Judge, Vigilance, Bargarh, sentenced him to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine, reinforcing the state’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance.
Mahapatra had been charge-sheeted under Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d)/7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, after being caught demanding and accepting a bribe from a beneficiary under the MO KUDIA scheme. The bribe was solicited to verify and process paperwork for the construction of an Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) house, a government initiative aimed at providing housing to economically weaker sections.
With this conviction, Odisha Vigilance is now set to approach the competent authorities for the stoppage of Mahapatra’s pension, marking another stern action against corrupt practices in government service.
This case highlights the unwavering stance of the Odisha government in its fight against bribery and misconduct among public officials. The vigilance department continues to urge citizens to report unethical activities and contribute to a cleaner administration.
