Bhubaneswar, 02 September (H.S.) : Odisha Vigilance has secured the conviction of Dr Kedarnath Pal, a former Medical Officer of Madhyakhand Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Nayagarh district, in a bribery case.

Dr Pal, who has since retired, was convicted on September 2, 2026, by the Additional Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar. The court sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000.

According to Odisha Vigilance, Dr Pal had been charge-sheeted under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(d) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a staff member of Madhyakhand PHC in connection with the disbursement of a HUDCO loan.

Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance said it will move the competent authority for stoppage of the pension of Dr Kedarnath Pal in accordance with the applicable rules.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda