Jharkhand BDO Sentenced to Four Years in 14-Year-Old Bribery Case

A Jharkhand court handed a four-year imprisonment sentence to a Block Development Officer in a 14-year-old bribery case. Shivaji Bhagat, an officer at Dumka district's Raneshwar block, was caught accepting a bribe in 2010 during his tenure at Nala block. A Rs 60,000 fine was also imposed.

In a significant verdict, a court in Jharkhand's Dumka district sentenced a Block Development Officer (BDO) to four years imprisonment in connection with a 14-year-old bribery case.

The Additional District Judge-II-cum-Special Judge (Vigilance) Sripraksh Jha handed down the sentence to Shivaji Bhagat on Friday, also imposing a fine of Rs 60,000, according to special public prosecutor Champa Kumari.

The incident dates back to April 1, 2010, when Bhagat, then the Block Development Officer-cum-Circle Officer of Nala block in Jamtara district, was caught red-handed by Anti-Corruption Bureau officials while accepting a bribe. Bhagat is currently serving as BDO in Raneshwar block of Dumka district.