Odisha engineer held for forging Deputy Speaker’s signature to secure transfer

Bhubaneswar, June 17 (IANS) The Commissionerate Police on Wednesday arrested Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Laxman Hembram of Harichandanpur block in Keonjhar district on charges of forging the signature of Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi and using it to facilitate his transfer to Sundargarh district.

Hembram was arrested in connection with Capital Police Station Case No. 473/26, registered on June 13 on the basis of a complaint lodged by Niranjan Kumar Sha, Private Secretary to the Deputy Speaker.

In his letter addressed to the Inspector-in-Charge of Capital Police Station, Sha sought registration of an FIR against Hembram, AEE of Harichandanpur block, and Monalisa Behera, AEE of Banspal block, for their alleged involvement in forging the Deputy Speaker’s signature, fabricating and reproducing forged documents, and the unauthorised use of the Deputy Speaker’s official D.O. Pad.

He further alleged that the duo violated provisions of the Information Technology Act and misused government service rules.

“It has come to notice that the aforesaid officers allegedly created and used forged documents containing the forged signature and official D.O. Pad of the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker and submitted the same before the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department with the intention of securing their transfers to Bargaon block and Sadar block of Sundargarh district,” Sha stated.

He underscored that the documents were neither issued nor authorised by the office of the Deputy Speaker.

Sha further stated that such acts constituted serious criminal offences, including forgery, fabrication of official records, use of forged documents as genuine, cheating, impersonation, criminal conspiracy and misuse of government office, punishable under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and other applicable laws.

“In view of the above, I am directed to request you to register an FIR and take appropriate legal action against the accused persons in accordance with law,” he added.

Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Ramesh Chandra Bisoi, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Zone-I, said the case had been registered under Sections 319(2), 336(3), 340(2), 3(5), 318(4) and 338 of the BNS, along with Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act.

He confirmed that Hembram was arrested in Bhubaneswar on June 17.

–IANS

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