The Special Judge, Vigilance, Balasore, convicted Krutibash Behera, former secretary of Paikasida Service Co-operative Society, Jaleswar, for corruption and misappropriation of government funds.
Behera retired from service but faced trial after Odisha Vigilance charge‑sheeted him under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(c)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Sections 409, 468, and 471 of the IPC.
Investigators revealed that Behera fabricated documents and falsely recorded payments in the names of beneficiaries under the Paikasida Service Co-operative Society linked to BBCC Bank Ltd., Balasore during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2009–10. Consequently, the court sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000.
Furthermore, Odisha Vigilance announced that it will move the competent authority to stop Behera’s pension following the conviction. Officials stressed that the judgment highlights the state’s determination to fight corruption and ensure accountability in co-operative institutions.
As a result, the conviction is expected to act as a deterrent against financial irregularities in government-linked societies. Moreover, the case demonstrates the effectiveness of vigilance efforts in exposing fraud and protecting public funds.
