Ex-Kalapathar PACS Secretary Convicted for Embezzlement

Subarnapur: Jagdish Ratha, former Secretary of Kalapathar PACS Ltd. under Ulunda Block, has been convicted by the Special Vigilance Court in Balangir for embezzling government funds.

The court sentenced Ratha to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹30,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional jail term.

Ratha was charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance in connection with Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No. 14/2020, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. He was accused of misappropriating ₹5,28,054 during 2014–16 by manipulating official records and falsifying the Day Book’s closing balance.

Following his conviction, Ratha was taken into custody to serve his sentence. Odisha Vigilance has announced plans to seek his dismissal from service.

Further details on the case are awaited.