Assistant teacher and Anganwadi worker held guilty in fraud case

In Keonjhar, Nagesh Kumar Mahakud, an Assistant Teacher at Raghunathswar High School, and Lilabati Mohanta, an Anganwadi Worker in Chaka, Keonjhar Sadar, have been found guilty of forgery by the Court of SDJM, Balasore.

Both individuals were charged by the Odisha Vigilance in a case under SDJM, Balasore TR No. 363/2019, citing violations of Sections 420/468/471/34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Nagesh was convicted for altering Lilabati Mohanta’s date of birth on a transfer certificate and affixing the school headmaster’s seal.

The court has sentenced Nagesh to serve one year of simple imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 10,000. In the event of defaulting on the fine payment, he will undergo an additional two months of simple imprisonment for the offense under Section 468 of the IPC.

Lilabati has also been sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment, with a fine of Rs 10,000. Similarly, in the case of defaulting on the fine payment, she will serve an additional two months of simple imprisonment for the offense under Section 471 of the IPC.

Furthermore, Lilabati Mohanta, the Anganwadi Worker, has been sentenced to two years of simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for the offense under Section 420 of the IPC. Both sentences will run concurrently.

Following their convictions, Odisha Vigilance will proceed to seek the dismissal of the Assistant Teacher and the Anganwadi Worker from their respective positions.

The case was investigated by Ganeswar Behera, Ex-Inspector of Vigilance, Balasore Division, and was prosecuted by Gayatri Das, Additional Public Prosecutor, on behalf of the SDJM Court, Balasore.