Phulbani, Nov 22: In a significant judgment, the Special Judge, Vigilance, Phulbani, today convicted Pratavati Kumari Devi, former Headmistress-in-Charge-cum-Secretary of SEC Sitapadi Project Upper Primary School under Baliguda Block in Kandhamal district, for corruption and criminal misconduct.

Devi, now retired, had been chargesheeted by Odisha Vigilance under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(c)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 of the IPC. She was accused of misappropriating government funds meant for the construction of a school building at Sitapadi, without executing the sanctioned work.

After examining the evidence, the court found her guilty and sentenced her to four years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000. Following the verdict, Devi was taken into judicial custody to begin serving her sentence.

Odisha Vigilance has announced that it will now initiate the process with the competent authority to stop the pension benefits of Smt. Devi in view of her conviction.

The case marks another successful prosecution in the state’s ongoing crackdown on corruption.