Cuttacik: The Vigilance Special Judge in Dhenkanal today convicted the former IIC of Nihalprasad Police Station in Dhenkanal and two other police personnel to four years of rigorous imprisonment in a bribery case.
Today, Chittaranjan Behera, Ex-IIC, Nihalprasad Police Station, Dist-Dhenkanal, A/p-Inspector, DPO, Kalahandi and his driver Prakash Mahalik and personal assistant Laxman Sethi, who were charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance in Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No.04 dt.24.02.2021 U/s 7 Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act, 2018 for demanding and accepting bribe Rs.6,000/- from a complainant for not arresting the complainant, his son and spouse in a dowry torture case, were convicted to 4 years rigorous imprisonment and fine, and sent to jail.
The Special Judge, Vigilance, Dhenkanal convicted Chittaranjan Behera, Ex-IIC, Nihalprasad Police Station, Dist-Dhenkanal and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 4 years and to pay a fine of Rs.20,000 and in default of payment of fine, to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 6 months for the offence U/s 7 Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act, 2018.
The Special Judge, Vigilance, Dhenkanal also convicted the other accused persons Prakash Mahalik and Laxman Sethi and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 4 years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000 each and in default of payment of the fine, to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 3 months for offence U/s 7/12 Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act, 2018.
Investigation and prosecution were completed in two & half years in the case. Odisha Vigilance is prioritizing prompt investigations and speedy trials in Corruption cases. Investigation in all year-old trap cases has been completed and close monitoring of prosecution and trial are being carried out.
Odisha Vigilance will now move the competent authority for the dismissal of Chittaranjan Behera, Ex-IIC, Nihalprasad Police Station, Dist-Dhenkanal following his conviction.
Today the convicts, Chittaranjan Behera, Ex-IIC, Nihalprasad PS, Prakash Mahalik and Laxman Sethi have been forwarded to jail custody.
B.K. Sethi, Inspector, Vigilance, Cuttack Division had investigated the case and Hemanta Kumar Khatua, Spl. P.P. Vigilance, Dhenkanal conducted the case on behalf of the prosecution.