Bhawanipatna, Jan 3: Jaya Kumar Juad, a forester at the Biswanathpur Forest Range in Kalahandi district, has been arrested by Odisha Vigilance for embezzling over ₹55 lakh in government funds.

Juad, who was responsible for managing funds allocated for Soil & Moisture Conservation (SMC) works, allegedly misappropriated the money by preparing false muster rolls and vouchers for plantation projects under the Thuamul Rampur Forest Section.

The investigation has revealed a systematic scheme to divert government funds, with a total amount of ₹55,04,607 being embezzled. Juad, in his role as forester, is said to have manipulated funds earmarked for crucial environmental conservation programs, including the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority), CA (Compensatory Afforestation), and CPA (Catchment Plan Area).

Evidence suggests that Juad, along with accomplices, bypassed financial checks at three plantation sites in the Th. Rampur Forest Section. They fabricated muster rolls, listing non-existent laborers or inflating work hours, and submitted false vouchers for materials and logistics that were never purchased or used.

Juad has been charged under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and will be forwarded to court.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to uncover further details of the alleged embezzlement.