Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance today arrested a college lecturer in Sambalpur district on charges of misappropriating government funds to the tune of Rs 73.44 lakh.

Basanta Kumar Naik, a lecturer in Political Science at Dutika Sahu College, Laida, under Rengali Block in Sambalpur allegedly misappropriated the funds, allocated for infrastructure development. ​

The misappropriation of funds reportedly took place between 2019-20 and 2024-25 financial years.

“Naik was found to have siphoned off funds allocated for college infrastructure works without executing physical development on the ground. He is also facing other charges including false billing and diversion of government funds on the pretext of automation and digital management software implementation,” said the Vigilance Department.

The accused college lecturer has been arrested and produced in a Special Vigilance court in Sambalpur. “The Vigilance police in Sambalpur have registered a case against the accused college lecturer under Sections 13(2), 13 (1)(a), 316(5) and 61(2) of the BNS. Further investigation on this matter in underway,” it added.