Berhampur, May 26: The Golanthara police on Sunday arrested Samir Kumar Mishra, a former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO), for allegedly embezzling around Rs 1.37 crore from the Keluapalli gram panchayat under the Rangeilunda block in Ganjam district.
The fraud came to light when the current PEO, Biswajit Ray, discovered a fake passbook while reviewing financial records. Ray promptly reported the matter to the Block Development Officer (BDO), which led to a formal investigation.
During the probe, officials found that Mishra had submitted forged passbooks during the 2023-24 audit period and had diverted government funds meant for various development projects in the village
Mishra was taken into custody and presented before the court on Sunday. Authorities also confiscated two mobile phones and an ATM card from him. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to trace and recover the misappropriated funds.
