Balasore Vigilance Court Convicts Former Co-operative Society Secretary
Balasore: In a significant judgment against corruption in Odisha’s cooperative sector, the Special Judge, Vigilance, Balasore, has sentenced Krutibash Behera, former secretary of Paikasida Service Co-operative Society in Jaleswar, to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
Behera was found guilty under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 409, 468, and 471.
Investigations revealed that during the Kharif Marketing Season of 2009–10, he fabricated documents and falsely recorded payments in the names of beneficiaries linked to BBCC Bank Ltd., Balasore.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Behera. Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance has announced it will initiate proceedings to stop his pension.
This ruling underscores the state’s commitment to tackling corruption in cooperative institutions and serves as a deterrent against financial irregularities.
Vigilance officials emphasised that such convictions strengthen public trust in accountability mechanisms and safeguard public funds.
