OCTOGENARIAN FOREST OFFICER SENTENCED IN 30-YEAR-OLD CORRUPTION CASE

Suresh Chandra Rath, a retired forest officer, received a three-year sentence for a 30-year-old corruption case. Convicted of possessing assets beyond known income, his sentencing at age 85 raises eyebrows. Odisha Vigilance may seek to stop his pension post-conviction.

An 85-year-old retired forest officer, Suresh Chandra Rath, has been sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment by a special vigilance court in Bhubaneswar. Rath, a former assistant conservator of forests, was found guilty in a 30-year-old disproportionate assets case for holding assets beyond his known sources of income, as per the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Rath's career, beginning in 1969 and ending with his retirement in 1999, was marred by this charge, with the vigilance case registered against him in 1996. It was revealed that he accumulated assets worth over Rs 11 lakh, a significant sum at the time. As the special judge handed down the sentence, which includes a Rs 1 lakh fine, the decision drew attention due to Rath's advanced age and the time elapsed since the offence.

Despite retiring, the implications of his conviction continue, as Odisha Vigilance considers petitioning for the suspension of his pension. The case highlights ongoing accountability efforts and the far-reaching effects of corruption allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)