Phulbani, Jan 29: The Special Vigilance Court in Phulbani on Wednesday sentenced a police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) to three years of rigorous imprisonment for accepting a bribe to dilute a criminal case. The convicted officer has been identified as Nabin Satapathy, a resident of Butupali in Boudh district.
In addition to the jail term, the court imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on the convict. The court further ordered that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional four months of imprisonment.
According to the prosecution, in 2023, while posted as an ASI at Kiaakata Police Station in Angul district, Satapathy demanded a bribe of ₹8,000 from the complainant in exchange for weakening a case and refraining from arresting the accused persons. The complainant, Panchanan Meher, subsequently lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Department.
Following the complaint, a trap was laid by vigilance officials. On July 25, 2023, Satapathy was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount from the complainant at the Boudh bus stand. A case was later registered at the Berhampur Vigilance Police Station.
After completion of the trial, the Phulbani Special Vigilance Court pronounced the verdict on Wednesday. The convicted ASI is currently posted at the Debagarh District Court.
