Former IAS Officer Vinod Kumar, Md Moquim And Two Others Convicted By Vigilance Court In ORHDC Loan Fraud Case

Bhubaneswar: A Vigilance Court in Bhubaneswar has convicted former IAS officer Vinod Kumar, Cuttack Barabati MLA, Md Moquim and two others in the ORHDC loan fraud case. The two others are ORHDC Company Secretary Swosti Ranjan Mohapatra and Director of Metro Builders Peeyush Mohanty. The Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, has handed them three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50 thousand each. The case is related to loans by ORHDC to ineligible beneficiaries during 2001 after the devastating super cyclone. Peeyush Mohanty and Md Moquim headed Metro Builders which was one of the beneficiaries receiving a loan of Rs 150 lakhs. IAS Vinod Kumar was heading ORHDC during the time.

The Government of Odisha had earlier this year dismissed IAS Officer Vinod from service against whom 27 graft cases were there. The 1989 batch IAS officer was allegedly conspired, sanctioned and disbursed loans to ineligible builders and contractors without observing procedures during 2000-2001.

The convicts Vinod Kumar and Swosti Mohapatra are sentenced to undergo RI for 3 years and to pay fine of Rs 50,000 and in default, thereof to undergo RI for another 6 months each count for the offences punishable under section U/s 13(2) r/w , 13(1) (d) PC act 1988 and U/s 120-B/468/471/420 IPC.

Md Moquim and Peeyush Mohanty are sentenced to undergo RI for 3 years and to pay fine of Rs 50,000 and in default, thereof to undergo RI for another 6 months each count for the offences punishable under section U/s 120-B/468/471/420 IPC.