Retired Odisha government employees have been convicted by vigilance courts in separate bribery cases, officials said.

Bhubaneswar: Three retired Odisha government employees, including a doctor, have been convicted by vigilance courts in separate bribery cases, officials said Tuesday. The convictions, handed down on Monday, underscore the state’s continued crackdown on public‑sector corruption. The cases involve Debendranath Nayak, a senior surgery specialist at Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital; Durga Prasad Sahu, an assistant revenue inspector; and Kartikeswar Sahu, a former soil conservation officer of Purunakatak in Boudh district. The convictions were reported by the Orissa POST on September 1st, 2026, at 14:09 IST.

What were the charges against each official?

• Debendranath Nayak – According to the vigilance officials, Nayak was arrested while taking a bribe to conduct an operation. The anti‑corruption agency said the solicitation of money for favouring a medical procedure violated the state’s anti‑bribery statutes.

• Durga Prasad Sahu – The assistant revenue inspector was apprehended by vigilance officers for taking a bribe from an applicant in exchange for submitting a favourable report in a mutation case. The complaint alleged that Sahu misused his official position to influence land‑record alterations for personal gain.

• Kartikeswar Sahu – Though the specific allegation was not detailed in the report, the vigilance case linked the former soil conservation officer to misconduct during his tenure. The exact nature of the bribery was outlined in the charge sheet filed by the anti‑corruption department.

The vigilance officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that each arrest was the result of sustained undercover operations and documentary evidence gathered over several months.

What sentences did the courts impose?

• Debendranath Nayak – The Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur sentenced Nayak to four years of rigorous imprisonment for accepting a bribe to perform an operation. The court’s order, dated Monday, also barred him from holding any public‑sector employment for the duration of the sentence.

• Durga Prasad Sahu – The same Sambalpur vigilance court imposed a one‑year rigorous imprisonment term after finding him guilty of taking a bribe for a favourable mutation report. The judgment highlighted the severity of corruption in revenue functions and the need for deterrent punishment.

• Kartikeswar Sahu – The Special Judge, Vigilance, Phulbani handed down a one‑year rigorous imprisonment sentence and a fine of Rs 50,000 for the soil‑conservation official’s involvement in a bribery case linked to his former post. The fine, as per the order, is to be paid within three months, failing which the imprisonment term may be extended.

The sentencing bench noted that the penalties were intended not only to punish the individuals but also to send a clear message to other public servants about the consequences of corrupt practices.

What happens next regarding their pensions?

The anti‑corruption department has decided to approach the competent authority for stoppage of pension of the convicted officials. Officials said this step follows the vigilance court convictions and is part of a broader policy to ensure that retirement benefits are not extended to those found guilty of corruption. The department’s move is expected to be processed through the state’s pension‑regulation cell, which will review the court orders and issue a formal directive to halt the pension disbursements.

In a brief statement, a senior official of the department said, “The conviction of these retired employees is a clear indication of our zero‑tolerance stance. We will ensure that the legal mechanism is fully utilized to protect public exchequer resources, including pension funds.”

The three convictions have drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some citizens hailed the judiciary’s decisive action as a victory for transparency, others have raised concerns about the impact on the families of the convicted, particularly given their retired status. The Odisha government’s anti‑corruption wing has indicated that further vigilance cases are in the pipeline, suggesting that the recent judgments may lead to additional prosecutions.

Overall, the convictions mark a significant development in Odisha’s ongoing battle against graft, reinforcing the role of vigilance courts as key instruments in enforcing accountability among former and serving government employees.