BHUBANESWAR: In a significant judgment, a Vigilance court on Thursday convicted a senior engineer of the Rural Works Division and his wife for possession of disproportionate assets.
Vigilance Special Judge, Bhubaneswar convicted former executive engineer of Rural Works Division, Koraput Jagannath Mohini after finding him guilty of possessing disproportionate assets worth `35.45 lakh. The court also convicted his wife Renubala Mohini for abating the offence.
Jagannath was convicted under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act while Renubala was convicted under Section 109 of the Indian Penal Code.
Jagannath was handed out rigorous imprisonment for three years and imposed a fine of `10 lakh. If he fails to pay the fine, he would have to undergo RI for 20 months. The court sentenced Renubala to simple imprisonment for one year and a fine of `1 lakh in default of which she would have to undergo SI for six months.
The case dates back to 2005 when Jagannath was booked for possession of disproportionate assets to his known sources of income. His residence and office at Koraput, parental and in-law’s houses were also searched. After investigation, the anti-corruption wing submitted chargesheets against the couple for possession of disproportionate assets worth `40.85 lakh.
Jagannath had joined the service as junior engineer in 1982 and was promoted to the post of assistant engineer and then executive engineer. At present, he is working as Executive Engineer, R&B Division in Rayagada.
Sunil Kumar Pati was the special public prosecutor in the Special Court Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.