Dhenkanal, Dec 9: A Special Vigilance Court in Dhenkanal today convicted and sentenced retired Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abhimanyu Sahoo to two years of simple imprisonment for demanding and accepting a bribe from a student in exchange for releasing a seized motorcycle.

Sahoo, who was serving as the ASI at Rasol Police Station in Dhenkanal district, was charged by Odisha Vigilance under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d), 7, and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case involved his illegal demand for money from a student to facilitate the release of the student's motorcycle, which had been seized during an investigation.

In addition to the two-year jail sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the former police officer.

Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance announced that it would approach the competent authority to seek the cessation of Sahoo's pension, as per the regulations for convicted government employees.

The Odisha Vigilance has launched a series of raids across the state, focusing on both retired and serving government officials. The raids are part of an ongoing effort to tackle corruption within various state departments and to ensure accountability among public servants, both active and retired. The Vigilance department has been closely monitoring the activities of several key figures suspected of using their positions for personal gain, with some of the accused allegedly indulging in illegal gratification, embezzlement, and abuse of power.

The team is investigating allegations against these retired officials, who are suspected of accumulating disproportionate assets during their tenure. The raids have led to the seizure of large sums of money, both in cash and property, from the homes and offices of suspected officials. The Vigilance department has stated that it is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability within the state's bureaucracy.