Odisha Vigilance logs 50% conviction rate in corruption cases in 2024

Cuttack, Dec 31: The Odisha Vigilance has logged 50 per cent conviction rate in corruption cases in 2024 while the rate of conviction in Disproportionate Asset (DA) cases stood at 80 per cent, said officials on Tuesday.

Of the 105 convictions, 18 were Class-I officers, 18 Class-II officers, 74 Class-III employees, six Class-IV employees, 16 other public servants and 15 private persons. Altogether 147 accused persons were convicted during the period. As many as 25 government officials have been dismissed from their services following their convictions.

According to officials, In 2024, Odisha Vigilance registered as many as 200 cases against 308 persons including 50 Class-I officers, 36 Class-II officers, 131 Class-III employees, one Class-IV employees, 18 other public servants and 72 private persons. The 200 cases included 60 DA cases, 96 trap cases and rest other
corruption cases.

Out of 200 cases registered in 2024, 60 cases were instituted for acquisition of disproportionate assets against 66 public servants and 36 private persons. The total disproportionate assets in all the 60 cases crossed over Rs 131 Crore. As many as 29 DA cases were registered against Class-I officers and 15 DA cases were registered against Class-II officers.

During last two years, high priority has been placed on completion of investigation of cases along with detection. Last year the disposal rate was 153% which was the highest in a decade. In the year 2024, Odisha Vigilance has further improved achieving a disposal rate of 154%.
In total, 307 cases were disposed off after investigation.

During this period, the Forest Wing of Odisha Vigilance conducted 101 joint raids and seized timber, machineries and vehicles worth over Rs.4.82 Crore. In this connection, forest offence cases have been initiated against 39 persons. This apart, the Forest Wing conducted a surprise raid in Rayagada town area and detected a wild life case and seized two Leopard skins.

It may be noted that during the last six months, as many as six Chief Engineer rank officers have been booked by the anti-corruption wings on the charges of possession of huge disproportionate assets. The assets recovered from them include, 229 plots at prime locations of Bhubaneswar and other district
Headquarters, 32 buildings and flats at Bhubaneswar and district headquarters and
outside state, gold weighing around 6 kg, deposits worth Rs.13 crore and cash over Rs 66.50 lakh.

This apart, a Joint Commissioner of Excise, one Assistant Commissioner of CT GST, one Deputy Director of Mines, Deputy Director of Fisheries Dept, DGM, Eng (Civil), OSPHWC, Berhampur Division, Junior Manager (Civil), IDCO, BBSR, Assistant Commercial Tax Officer, CT & GST, three CSOs, one Sub- Collector, two Tahsildars, two BDOs, Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer, OSRTC, BBSR, an Assistant Conservator of Forests, a Forest Range Officer, nine Police Officials, and one Jail Superintendent have been arrested by Odisha Vigilance during the above period for possession of disproportionate assets or involvement in bribery or misappropriation of government funds.