Former Cooperative Secretary Sentenced for Fund Embezzlement
In a significant verdict, a special vigilance court in Balasore has sentenced Ramesh Chandra Sen, the former secretary of Arnapal Service Cooperative Society (SCS), to three years of rigorous imprisonment for misappropriating society funds. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Sen, with a stipulation that failure to pay would result in an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.
Details of the Financial Fraud
The case, which dates back to August 2013, involved fraudulent withdrawals from the society's savings bank deposit account held at the Balasore Bhadrak Central Co-operative Bank (BBCC Bank), Bhadrak branch. According to the prosecution by the vigilance department, Sen illicitly withdrew Rs 4,00,000 from the thrift account. Crucially, he failed to provide any accounting for this substantial amount or record its utilization in the society's official financial records.
Court Acquits Co-Accused Bank Employees
While Sen faced conviction, the special judge acquitted the other individuals named in the case. The then accountant and cashier of the BBCC Bank's Bhadrak branch were cleared of all charges, including criminal conspiracy. The court determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove their involvement in the fraudulent scheme.
This judgment brings a long-pending case to a close, highlighting the legal consequences for financial misconduct within cooperative institutions. The ruling underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public and member-based funds.
