Arrested Vigilance inspector Manasi Jena dismissed from services

Vigilance Inspector Manasi Jena, who was arrested in connection with a Rs 20 lakh bribery last month, has been dismissed from services with immediate effect on Friday.

The action has been initiated by Odisha Director General of Police (DGP).

"It is my considered view that it is a fit case for exercising power under Article 311 (2) (b) to dismiss Smt. Jena from service of police department, considering the gravity of the misconduct committed by her, in order to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation of the criminal case, to prevent loss of public faith and irreparable damage to the public institutions; and also to safeguard the public interest," a release issued by the Odisha Police State Headquarters read.

"Any punishment less than dismissal from service would not meet the ends of justice in this case. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in their various pronouncements has upheld the exercise of power of Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution of India in similar cases," the release stated.

Notably, Jena, a Vigilance inspector of Sambalpur division, in connivance with her associate Mukesh Sahu had demanded Rs 20 lakh bribe from a senior public functionary of Odisha Government to close a petition against him which was pending with her. 

Besides, she had threatened him with criminal action, if he failed to pay the bribe. 

Soon after the incident came to light, the anti-corruption sleuths laid a trap and arrested Jena while she was accepting the bribe. Jena and Sahu were eventually arrested and forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur on May 14.

A case was registered against Jena and Sahu under section 7 and 12 of the PC Act, 1988 as amended by PC (Amendment) Act, 2018.