Dhenkanal (Odisha) [India], November 22 (ANI): In a major breakthrough in a long-pending corruption case, Odisha Vigilance has arrested Manoranjan Sahoo, a former Senior Clerk of the Hindol Sub-Treasury in Dhenkanal district, for allegedly misappropriating Rs 68.85 lakh in government funds meant for family pension beneficiaries.

Officials confirmed that Sahoo, who had been absconding for nearly two years to evade action, was arrested late Friday night by the Vigilance team.

According to the Vigilance Department, Sahoo is accused of diverting Rs 68,85,497 by fraudulently drawing government funds over an extended period.

Instead of transferring pension payments to the rightful beneficiaries, he allegedly credited the funds to his own bank account and to those of his relatives, systematically siphoning public funds.

The case has been registered at the Cuttack Vigilance Police Station under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and other anti-corruption laws.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Earlier, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Bhubaneswar Zonal Unit on Thursday successfully secured the conviction of three accused involved in drug trafficking.

The sentence was awarded by the Court of the 3rd Additional District and Sessions Judge, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

This case dates back to August 13, 2021, when officers of the Narcotics Control Bureau apprehended three accused persons with 20 kilograms of opium. Further investigation revealed that the accused were linked to an inter-state trafficking racket, in which opium was being transported by concealing it in a specially designed cavity inside the driver's cabin of a truck.

A chargesheet was filed against all three accused in February 2022. The truck used for transporting the illegal opium was also seized. The three accused -- Vijay Bhan, Suraj Pal, and Surendra -- were sentenced on November 20 under sections 18(b), 25, 28, and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985 (as amended). Each of them was awarded 10 years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh. (ANI)