Bhubaneswar: On recommendation of Odisha Vigilance, Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department of the state government Saturday dismissed an Assistant Engineer from service for turning hostile during a trial, a press statement issued by Vigilance Directorate stated.
According to Vigilance, the dismissed official named Upendra Bhanja Naik while serving as Junior Engineer at RWSS (rural water supply and sanitation) section, Sohela in Bargarh district was tasked as an official witness for the detection of a trap against accused Anand Saraf — a senior clerk at the office of Executive Engineer, West Electrical Division in Bargarh district in 2011.
The press statement issued by Vigilance informed that Naik’s statement was recorded under section 161 of CrPC. It was also put up before a Judicial Magistrate and his testimony was recorded under section 164 of CrPC before the Magistrate.
Although Naik had witnessed the transaction of bribe, he changed his earlier statements during trial to help the accused Saraf leading to acquittal in the case, the press statement read.
Subsequently, following the recommendation of Odisha Vigilance, departmental proceeding was initiated against Naik by H&UD Department and he was dismissed from service by the competent authority. The dismissal orders were received July 28 at the Vigilance Directorate.
As many as 45 perjury cases have been initiated by Odisha Vigilance against complainants or witnesses turning hostile during trials in the last two years, the press release read.
Notably, the overall conviction rate in Vigilance cases was around 50 per cent and the conviction rate in DA (disproportionate assets) cases stood at 77 per cent, ranking Odisha among top performing states with regard to conviction in DA cases.
PNN