Chennai: EPF official gets 'rigorous imprisonment' for 4 years for graft

Chennai: The XIV additional special court for CBI cases, Chennai, sentenced an official of employees provident fund organisation to rigorous imprisonment for four years for acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Slapping him with a fine of Rs 3 lakh, the judge ordered confiscation of his properties to the extent of disproportionate assets.

On a complaint, the anti-corruption branch, CBI, Chennai conducted a probe against P. Pandian, enforcement officer, employees provident fund organisation, for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Following preliminary probe, CBI registered case against him. The prosecution alleged that during the check period from January 1, 2002 to September 30, 2006, he amassed assets to the tune of Rs 14.49 lakh.

CBI filed chargesheet against Pandian and his wife P. Vennila. However, during the trial Vennila was discharged from the case.

On completion of trial, XIV additional special judge for CBI cases, D. Vasanthi, said prosecution proved the charges against Pandian. The judge sentenced him to undergo RI for four years. The judge also imposed him with a fine of Rs 3 lakh and ordered for confiscation of his properties to the extent of disproportionate assets.