* *ODISHA VIGILANCE ARRESTS TWO PANCHAYAT OFFICIALS IN PURI DISTRICT FOR EMBEZZLIN
Puri, 3/7: Today, Odisha Vigilance has arrested two former Panchayat Executive Officers (PEOs) attached to Puri district. The accused duo is implicated in two separate cases of systematic financial fraud, *collectively misappropriating government funds to the tune of Rs.30,78,620/- earmarked for vulnerable beneficiaries under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY)*.
The arrested officials have been identified as Sulamani Jani, Former PEO of Gadamrugsira and Jamarsuan Gram Panchayats under Sadar Block, Puri (currently attached to Sadar Block Office) and Tuna Pradhan, Former PEO of Sahupada Gram Panchayat under Kanas Block, Puri (currently attached to Gop Block Office).
An extensive investigation by Odisha Vigilance revealed that the accused officials exploited their administrative positions between the years 2022 and 2025 to orchestrate the fraud. *Further, both the accused officials namely Sri Jani and Sri Pradhan were found to have misappropriated Rs. 15,74, 820/- and Rs. 15,03,800/- meant for elderly, disabled, and destitute individuals, by retaining the undisbursed amount and diverting to their gain*.
Both accused Govt. Servants are being forwarded today to the Court of Hon’ble Spl. Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.
In this connection, Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS Case No 13 & 14/ 2026, U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) PC Amendment Act, 2018/316(5) BNS have been registered against the accused duo Sri Jani and Sri Pradhan.
Investigation is underway.
