Bhubaneswar, 26 August (H.S.): Sangram Pattnaik, former Junior Clerk at Padmapur Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kendujhar and currently serving as a Senior Clerk at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, has been convicted in a corruption and misappropriation case by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Kendujhar.

Pattnaik was charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Sections 409, 477-A, 435 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of General Provident Fund (GPF) refund amounts of health workers.

According to Odisha Vigilance, the irregularities took place between 1999 and 2003, when GPF refund amounts were deducted from the salaries of health workers but were allegedly not remitted to the Accountant General (AG), Odisha, Bhubaneswar.

After considering the evidence in the case, the Special Judge, Vigilance, Kendujhar convicted Pattnaik and sentenced him to two years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine.

Following his conviction, Odisha Vigilance said it will move the competent authority for dismissal of Pattnaik from government service in accordance with the applicable rules.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda