Phulbani, Feb 10: A Special Judge in Phulbani today convicted two former school officials and sentenced them to four years of rigorous imprisonment for embezzling government funds intended for construction work at Tuakula NPS.

The convicted individuals have been identified as Ramesh Chandra Nayak, the former Head Master of Tuakula NPS (currently an Assistant Teacher at Sadengi PUPS), and Dhruba Charan Majhi, the former President of the Village Education Committee (VEC) at Tuakula NPS under Tumudibandha Block.

Each of the accused was sentenced to four years in prison and fined Rs 20,000. The charges against them included misappropriating government funds without executing the planned construction of a new primary school building at Tuakula. The charges were filed under sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(c)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as well as sections 409 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

Following the conviction, both Nayak and Majhi were taken into jail custody to serve their sentences. In addition, Odisha Vigilance will approach the relevant authorities for the dismissal of Ramesh Chandra Nayak from his government service due to his conviction.

The investigation was led by Kumudini Sahoo, DSP, Vigilance, Berhampur Division, and the case was prosecuted by V.V. Ram Das, Special Public Prosecutor, Vigilance, Phulbani.