In a significant ruling, the Special Judge, Vigilance, Keonjhar, convicted Gourahari Sahu, a retired Assistant Engineer of Champua Block, Keonjhar District, on charges of corruption.
Sahu was found guilty of misappropriating government funds allocated for road improvement works under the MGNREGA scheme. The court sentenced him to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine, marking a strong stance against corruption in public service.
The Odisha Vigilance Department had charge-sheeted Sahu under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Sections 409, 120-B, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the misappropriation of funds designated for infrastructure development in Champua Block.
Following the conviction, the Odisha Vigilance announced plans to approach the competent authority to halt Sahu’s pension, reinforcing accountability for retired public officials.
