Bhubaneswar, Nov 21: Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested Suresh Chandra Sahu, Secretary of the Kadopada Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) in Deogarh district, for allegedly embezzling ₹40,71,644 in public funds.

According to Vigilance officials, a detailed investigation revealed that Sahu manipulated official accounting records, particularly the PACS Day Book, to siphon off money meant for the cooperative. He allegedly received loan repayment amounts from farmers but failed to record these transactions, rendering the funds unaccounted for and enabling their misappropriation.

Officials said the fraud had a direct impact on the cooperative’s financial stability and adversely affected the local farming community, as the misappropriated funds were part of a system designed to support economically vulnerable farmers.

A case has been registered under relevant anti-corruption laws at the Rourkela Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 12/2025). Following his arrest, Sahu is being forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur.

A detailed report is awaited.