Ex-Post Office Official Sentenced to 4 Years for Rs 2 Lakh Bribe Demand
Synopsis
A Special CBI Court in Bhubaneswar has sentenced a former Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices to four years in prison for soliciting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. This case draws attention to corruption within public service roles, emphasizing the need for integrity and accountability in government positions.
Key Takeaways
A former Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices was convicted of corruption.
The individual received a four-year prison sentence and a fine.
The CBI's efforts highlight the fight against corruption in public service.
Related arrests show ongoing issues with bribery in financial institutions.
Public accountability remains a crucial aspect of governance.
Bhubaneswar, March 14 (NationPress) A Special CBI Court in Bhubaneswar has handed down a four-year prison sentence to a former Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices from the Baripada area of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district for soliciting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh, according to an official statement released on Saturday.
The convicted individual, Radha Krushna Sahoo, who was serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices overseeing the Central Sub-Division in Baripada, received his sentence on Friday, the official noted.
The CBI initiated this case on February 4, 2014, against Sahoo.
It was reported that Sahoo requested Rs 2 lakh from the complainant to facilitate his appointment as a GDS (Gramin Dak Sevak), MD (Mail Deliverer/ABPM), and MC (Mail Carrier) at the Debsole branch post office.
Despite not taking any action to assist with the complainant's employment, Sahoo demanded Rs 50,000 on February 3, 2014 as part of the total bribe, according to the CBI.
When the complainant indicated he could not pay the full Rs 50,000, Sahoo agreed to accept the payment in two installments, with Rs 20,000 being collected at his rented home in Baliganja on February 6, 2014, as per the statement.
The CBI set up a sting operation and apprehended Sahoo in the act of demanding and accepting the Rs 20,000 bribe from the complainant, according to the agency's report.
Following a thorough investigation, the CBI submitted a chargesheet on June 25, 2014, and the trial spanned 12 years before the federal agency successfully secured a four-year jail term for Sahoo.
In an unrelated development, the CBI also arrested Abhisek Sen Gupta, an Assistant Manager-cum-Loan Officer at the State Bank of India's (SBI) Gumi branch in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 16,000 from a complainant, as reported on Friday.
The case was filed on March 12, stemming from the accusation that Gupta sought an unlawful Rs 16,000 to expedite loan applications from customers aiming for financial backing for rooftop solar electrification projects.
After confirming the allegations, the CBI conducted a sting operation and caught Gupta red-handed while soliciting and receiving the bribe from the complainant, the statement revealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the sentence given to the ex-Post Office official?
The ex-Post Office official was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh.
What was the bribe amount demanded?
The official demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh.
When did the CBI register the case against the official?
The CBI registered the case on February 4, 2014.
What was the official's position?
The official was the Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices in charge of the Central Sub-Division in Baripada.
What other case was reported by the CBI?
The CBI also arrested an Assistant Manager of SBI for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 16,000.
