Odisha: 6 arrested, including a former official, in a government fund scam worth over Rs 8 crore.
Odisha: The Odisha Vigilance Department has uncovered a major financial scam in Bhadrak district, Odisha, and arrested six people, including a former senior assistant at the Chandbali Sub-Treasury. It is alleged that these individuals connived to embezzle government funds worth over ₹8 crore.
The arrested accused include Santosh Panda, a former senior assistant at the Chandbali Sub-Treasury Office, along with his associates Siba Shankar Samal, Deb Shankar Samal, Prafulla Kumar Rout, Sandip Kumar Mitra, and Abhay Kumar Panda.
According to the Vigilance Department, the scam took place between July 25, 2018, and May 4, 2023. The investigation revealed that the accused together misappropriated government funds totaling ₹8.04 crore.
According to information, Santosh Panda misused the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) during his tenure and fraudulently transferred government funds to 37 different bank accounts. In this entire scam, 102 fake bills were used to withdraw and transfer funds.
The Vigilance Department stated that the funds were originally intended for pension and gratuity payments to retired government employees, but were misappropriated for personal gain.
The departmental investigation also revealed that Santosh Panda had been suspended approximately six months ago after financial irregularities were discovered. A thorough investigation was subsequently initiated, which revealed the entire scam.
Following this action, the Vigilance team arrested all the accused and began further investigation. The department states that other individuals involved in the scam and the entire chain of transactions are also being investigated.
In this case, the Odisha Vigilance Department has registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2018 and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to officials, this scam exposes serious negligence and corruption in the state’s financial system. Investigating agencies say further revelations are possible as a detailed investigation into the suspicious transactions continues.
All the accused are currently in judicial custody, and the Vigilance Department is investigating the entire network to uncover all aspects of the misappropriation of government funds.
