Dhenkanal: A senior clerk in the Dhenkanal Divisional Forest Officer’s (DFO) office allegedly siphoned off Rs 65.90 lakh in government funds by diverting money meant for salaries, pensions, retirement arrears and other official expenses into bank accounts of himself, family members and associates, Odisha Vigilance said Sunday.
The agency has arrested the accused clerk, Sujit Kumar Jena, along with Soumya Ranjan Behera, a staff member of the Elephant Squad under Sadar Range, and Rashmi Ranjan Swain in connection with the alleged embezzlement spanning 2016 to 2026.
Jena, according to Vigilance, allegedly exploited his official position to divert funds meant for salaries of dismissed and absconding employees, retirement arrears, provisional pensions, establishment pay bills, contingency expenses, staff salary arrears and travelling allowance claims.
During verification of financial transactions, investigators found that Rs 8,72,520 had been transferred to Jena’s mother’s bank account, Rs 10,48,866 to Behera’s account and Rs 8,86,193 to Swain’s account.
Also Read : Odisha engineer detained after Rs 21.88 lakh cash seizure
The three accused allegedly evaded arrest for an extended period before Vigilance tracked their movements using technical intelligence and mobile location monitoring.
A case has been registered at Kataka Vigilance police station under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The accused are being forwarded to the court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Dhenkanal. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the involvement of others in the alleged misappropriation.
