The Special Judge, Vigilance, Baripada, today convicted two former officials of the Fisheries Department in Mayurbhanj district for misappropriating government funds under the Multipurpose Farm Pond Scheme.
The convicted individuals—Surendra Mohan Naik, former Assistant Fisheries Officer of Kaptipada Block, and Raghunath Kar, former Assistant Fisheries Officer at the District Fisheries Office, Mayurbhanj—were charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance under multiple sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as well as IPC Sections 468, 471-A, and 120-B.
According to the investigation, the officials forged signatures of several beneficiaries and fraudulently showed disbursement of funds meant for the farm pond scheme, diverting public money for personal gain.
The court sentenced both officials to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on each. Should they fail to pay the fine, additional imprisonment will be applicable as per legal provisions.
In the wake of their conviction, Odisha Vigilance has announced its intention to approach the competent authority for cessation of pension benefits for both retired officers, reinforcing the state’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
This case highlights the government’s continued efforts to enforce accountability and transparency across departments, especially those impacting rural livelihoods.
