Bhubaneswar, Jul 15: In a major anti-corruption crackdown, a Special Vigilance Court has convicted a retired Junior Engineer in a disproportionate assets (DA) case filed by Odisha Vigilance and sentenced him to three years of simple imprisonment.

The convicted official, Ashok Kumar Padhy, a former Junior Engineer (JE) in the Office of the Assistant Soil Conservation Officer (ASCO), Gunupur in Rayagada district, was found guilty under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur, sentenced Padhy to three years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh. In the event of non-payment of the fine, further legal consequences may follow as per the court's order.

Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance announced that it will approach the competent authority to initiate proceedings for the stoppage of Padhy's pensionary benefits, in accordance with the applicable service rules.

The case was investigated by Aswini Kumar Nayak, former Inspector of Vigilance, Berhampur Division. The prosecution was jointly represented by Special Public Prosecutors Surendra Panda and Sumit Nayak, who successfully argued the case before the Vigilance Court.

The conviction marks another step in Odisha Vigilance's ongoing efforts to curb corruption and ensure accountability among public servants.