May 1st 2024.
In Keonjhar, a former MGNREGA assistant from the Saharpada block had his sentence handed down by the Special Vigilance Court on Tuesday. Lalit Kumar Mohanta was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty in a Vigilance trap case. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of Rs2,000, and in case of default, he would have to serve an additional two months of rigorous imprisonment. This decision was made under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The convict, Mohanta, was previously employed as an MGNREGA assistant in Keonjhar district. He was caught red-handed by the Vigilance sleuths in 2016 while accepting a bribe. It was reported that he had demanded and accepted a sum of Rs10,000 from a complainant in exchange for facilitating the issuance of a work order under the MGNREGA scheme. This incident took place on February 26, 2016.
After being caught, Mohanta was immediately disengaged from his job. He was then presented in court and denied bail by the magistrate, leading to his remand in judicial custody. The court's decision to award him a four-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs2,000 serves as a strong message against corruption and malpractice.
It is unfortunate that individuals like Mohanta, who were entrusted with public resources, chose to abuse their power for personal gain. This verdict by the Special Vigilance Court serves as a reminder that those who engage in corrupt activities will face the consequences of their actions. Let this be a lesson to all, and may this decision act as a deterrent to others who may consider indulging in similar acts.
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