Bhubaneswar: Taking stringent action against corruption, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi dismissed Dr. Karunakar Rout from government service with immediate effect after his conviction in a vigilance case.

Dr. Rout, who is currently serving as the Medical Officer at Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital, was removed from his post following a court verdict that found him guilty of bribery.

Earlier, he had been posted at the Madhuban Community health Centre (CHC) in Jajpur district. 

According to reports, Cuttack Vigilance had charge-sheeted Dr. Rout in January 2024 in connection with a bribery case. The Special Vigilance Court subsequently convicted him, sentencing him to two years in jail and imposing a fine of ₹10,000.

Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance recommended his dismissal from service, which the state government promptly approved.

"The Chief Minister has consistently advocated a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and has reiterated that no corrupt official will be spared," stated an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The release further added that, under the Chief Minister’s direction, the Vigilance Department has intensified its crackdown on corruption and is taking strict action against several high-ranking officials and employees across various departments who are facing similar allegations.