Bribe case: Welfare extension officer sentenced 4-year RI by Odisha Vigilance court

Bhubaneswar: A special court of Odisha Vigilance today sentenced 4-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) to former welfare extension officer (WEO) then working in Nuagaon block of Nayagarh district identified as Ludasini Nayak, after she was convicted by the court for accepting bribe.

According to a source, Nayak is presently working as the WEO in Badampahad of Mayurbhanj district. She was previously charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance in Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS case No-7/2014, U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d)/7 of the PC Act, 1988 for demanding and accepting the bribe from a complainant to conduct an inquiry and submit a report to district welfare officer (DWO) of Nayagarh regarding his inter-caste marriage. Nayak was convicted by the Special Vigilance Judge in Bhubaneswar.

The WEO has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of four years and a fine of Rs 5,000 and in default of payment of fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of two months more for the offence U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the PC Act, 1988. The Hon’ble Court further sentenced her to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three years and payment of a fine of Rs 5,000 and in default of payment of the fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of two months more for the offence U/s 7 of PC Act, 1988, a Vigilance press release mentioned.

Moreover, both the sentences are to run concurrently, the official communiqué clarified.

Notably, the convict Ludasini Nayak was sent to jail custody to serve her sentence. Odisha Vigilance will now move the competent authority for the dismissal of Nayak following her conviction.