Bargarh, June 20: Odisha Vigilance has secured the conviction of a former Excise Inspector in a bribery case.The Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bargarh convicted Indrajeet Sahu, former Inspector of Excise, Sadar Range, Bargarh, who had retired from service, for demanding and accepting a bribe from a complainant.According to Odisha Vigilance, Sahu had demanded and taken illegal gratification from a grocery shop owner in exchange for not initiating an Excise offence case against him. The complainant was allegedly selling mohua flowers, used for preparing traditional alcoholic beverages, in his shop without the required licence.Following an investigation, Odisha Vigilance had charge-sheeted Sahu under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) and 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.After examining the evidence, the Special Judge found the accused guilty and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for three years. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the convicted former official.In the wake of the conviction, Odisha Vigilance has announced that it will approach the competent authority to seek stoppage of Sahu’s pension benefits as per the applicable rules governing retired government employees convicted in corruption cases.
