Kendrapara, Dec 16: Ratnesh Kumar Pandey, Junior Engineer (JE) of Pattamundai Block, Kendrapara district, was arrested today by Odisha Vigilance on charges of financial fraud and embezzlement of government funds.
According to the vigilance authorities, Pandey allegedly misappropriated government funds allocated for the "Electrification Project of Street Lights" in Pattamundai Block during the 2023-24 financial year, without executing the intended work.
Investigations revealed that Pandey diverted funds from the GP Developmental Fund into his personal bank account held at SBI, Pipili branch. So far, evidence indicates that Rs 9.70 lakh was transferred to his personal accounts, with further probes underway to uncover additional misappropriations.
Odisha Vigilance has registered a case against Pandey under Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No. 35/2025, invoking provisions of Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(a)/12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, and Sections 409 and 120-B of the IPC. Sri Pandey is being forwarded to the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack.
The investigation into the case is ongoing.
