Odisha Officials Convicted in Bribery Case | 3 Years RI & Pension Stoppage
Bhubaneswar, November 22, 2025 — In a landmark judgment underscoring the state’s zero‑tolerance stance on corruption, the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, convicted two retired Odisha officials in a bribery case.
Bijay Chandra Mohapatra, former Joint Secretary (Agriculture Department), and Benudhar Mohanty, former Private Secretary to the Director (Water Resources Department), were found guilty of demanding and accepting a bribe from a complainant in exchange for issuing a verification certificate for a passport under the Tatkal scheme.
The court sentenced both officials to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance announced it will move the competent authority to stop the pensions of both officials, reinforcing accountability even after retirement.
he judgment highlights the seriousness of corruption charges and the state’s commitment to transparency in governance.
