Dhenkanal: Odisha Vigilance has arrested a senior clerk at the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) office in Dhenkanal and two alleged accomplices in connection with a decade-long financial embezzlement involving Rs 65.90 lakh.

The arrested persons have been identified as Sujit Kumar Jena, Senior Clerk at the DFO office; Soumya Ranjan Behera, a staff member of the Elephant Squad under Sadar Range; and Rashmi Ranjan Swain, an alleged associate of Jena.

According to Odisha Vigilance, a comprehensive verification of financial transactions spanning 2016 to 2026 revealed a systematic pattern of alleged misappropriation of government funds amounting to Rs 65,90,773.

Investigators found that Jena allegedly exploited his administrative access to divert public money into private bank accounts belonging to himself, his family members and associates.

The alleged embezzlement involved salaries meant for dismissed and absconding employees, arrear bills of retiring employees, provisional pensions, government allocations for establishment pay bills, contingency expenses, staff salary arrears and fraudulent travelling allowance (TA) claims.

The investigation also revealed that Rs 8,72,520 was transferred to the bank account of Jena’s mother. Further, Rs 10,48,866 was allegedly transferred to Behera’s account, while Rs 8,86,193 went to the account of Swain, described by investigators as a close associate of Jena.

After the alleged fraud came to light, the three accused reportedly evaded arrest for an extended period. Odisha Vigilance tracked their movements using technical intelligence and mobile location monitoring before apprehending them.

In connection with the case, Odisha Vigilance has registered Kataka Vigilance Police Station Case No. 40/2026 under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The three accused are being forwarded to the court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, in Dhenkanal.

Further investigation is underway to establish the role of other persons and determine their accountability in the alleged misappropriation of government funds.