Balasore, August 19: Kumuda Chandra Pradhan, retired Assistant Engineer (Estimator) from the office of the Executive Engineer, Lift Irrigation Division, Balasore, has been convicted in a bribery case by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Balasore.

The court found Pradhan guilty under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. He was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹50,000. The conviction stems from a case investigated by Odisha Vigilance, in which Pradhan was caught demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a contractor. The bribe was allegedly sought to process agreement papers related to the issuance of a work order.

Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance has announced that it will move the competent authority to initiate proceedings for the stoppage of Pradhan’s pension.

Further details are awaited.