Bhubaneswar: The Vigilance sleuths have arrested a former official of Chandbali Sub-Treasury in Odisha’s Bhadrak district and five of his aides on charges of misappropriating government funds worth over Rs 8 crore.

The arrested have been identified as Santosh Panda, a former Senior Assistant at Chandbali Sub-Treasury office and his associates—Siba Shankar Samal, Deb Shankar Samal, Prafulla Kumar Rout, Sandip Kumar Mitra and Abhay Kumar Panda.  

According to Vigilance Department, Panda and his aides had misappropriated government funds to the tune of Rs 8.04 crore between July 25, 2018 and May 4, 2023.

Panda, during his tenure at the Chandbali Sub-Treasury, had diverted the government funds to the bank accounts of 37 individuals by manipulating the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). He committed the irregularities through 102 fraudulent bills. The funds were originally meant for the pensions and gratuities of some retired government employees, said the Vigilance Department.

The authorities had suspended Panda over some financial irregularities six months ago.  

The Odisha Vigilance has registered a case against Panda and his aides under various Sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2018 and IPC.

“We are conducting further investigation into the case. Steps are being taken to identify and arrest the other accused persons,” said a Vigilance official.