Former CDPO Sentenced to 3 Years Jail in Bribery Case

Bhubaneswar: A Special Vigilance Court in Bhawanipatna on Friday sentenced Bijay Laxmi Marandi, former Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of the ICDS Project in Sinapalli block, Nuapada district, to three years of simple imprisonment in connection with a bribery case.

Marandi, who is currently posted as CDPO of Parjang block, was found guilty of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a complainant. The bribe was taken in exchange for clearing bills and releasing payments related to the supply of Chhatua under the government’s nutrition scheme.

She was charge-sheeted by the Odisha Vigilance under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d)/7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. In addition to the jail term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000.

Following the court’s verdict, Odisha Vigilance has announced that it will approach the competent authority to initiate dismissal proceedings against Marandi from government service.