Thrissur (Keralam) | A Vigilance Court here sentenced a former Agricultural Officer and Farm Manager of the government-owned Nelliyampathy Orange and Vegetable Farm in Palakkad district to nine years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs three lakh in a financial misappropriation case.

Thrissur Vigilance Court Judge K M Ratheesh Kumar on Wednesday found K I Ani (67), a native of Kayamkulam in Alappuzha, guilty of financial irregularities committed during 2005-07.

The case was registered following a complaint by the Nelliyampathy Farm Protection Council, based on which the Vigilance conducted a surprise inspection and detected irregularities at the farm.

The investigation revealed that the accused caused a loss of Rs 2,04,520 to the government through the unauthorised sale of passion fruit squash, mango squash and guava jelly produced at the farm.

He also allegedly forged records showing that guava jelly was sold to the Malampuzha Horticulture Development Farm and excess quantities of passion fruit squash and mango squash were delivered to the Eremayur Krishi Bhavan.

The accused was also found to have misappropriated funds meant for purchasing sugar from the Nenmara Consumer Store for manufacturing the products, without remitting the payment to the store.

Public Prosecutor V K Shailajan appeared for the Vigilance.

The case was investigated by former Deputy Superintendents of Police Safiyullah Sayed and K Satheesan, former Inspector K L Radhakrishnan and M J Sojan, currently Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Ernakulam Special Cell.