Bhubaneswar, September 8: In a major crackdown against corruption in social security scheme, Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday arrested three Panchayat level officials under Bhogarai block in Baleshwar district in connection with the fraudulent diversion and misappropriation of Government funds over Rs 16.76 lakh meant for elderly beneficiaries.
The accused persons have been identified as Subrat Kumar Pati, former Kakhara Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO), presently attached to Kusuda GP, former Kumbharmuli PEO Chittaranjan Bagsing, presently attached to -Khaira Block and Jaleswarpur GP Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operator Goutam Dalai.
The arrests were made following registration of case by Odisha Vigilance vide Baleshwar Vigilance PS Case No. 22/2026, U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) of PC (Amendment) Act, 2018/409 IPC against those accused trio.
The intensive investigation revealed that during their tenure spanning from 2022 to 2025, the accused officials regularly drew advance amounts from the Bhogarai Block Development Office for monthly disbursement of social security pensions to eligible elderly beneficiaries.
However, instead of refunding or accounting for the remaining unutilised cash advances after distributions, the trio systematically siphoned off a total sum of Rs 16,76,500 for their personal gain.
All the accused were forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Baleshwar today.
