The Odisha Vigilance has secured the conviction of Gouranga Marthi, a retired Dealing Assistant from the Office of the District Labour Officer (DLO), Bhubaneswar, in connection with the Gouranga Marthi bribery Bhubaneswar case.
Marthi was today convicted by the Hon’ble Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, for demanding and accepting a bribe from a complainant. The bribe was accepted to facilitate the renewal of a labour licence. He was charge-sheeted under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) and 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The court sentenced him to undergo simple imprisonment for one year along with a fine. Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance has announced it will approach the competent authority to initiate proceedings for the stoppage of his pension.
The case highlights the Vigilance department’s continued efforts to curb corruption in government offices. In particular, it focuses on departments dealing with public services and licensing. Detailed investigation reports and further proceedings are expected to follow.
