Bhubaneswar, June 2 -- Sending a stern message against corruption in public office, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday pulled up the State Vigilance Department for allegedly ignoring crucial evidence in a 2015 bribery case involving a former Tehsildar, observing that corruption by public servants strikes at the very core of democratic governance and institutional integrity.
"Allegations pertaining to the demand and acceptance of illegal gratification cannot be lightly interdicted at the threshold," Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi said while hearing the matter virtually, emphasizing that materials on record disclosed sufficient prima facie evidence warranting a full judicial examination during trial.
The case relates to a Vigilance FIR regis...