Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Saturday nabbed Debananda Sagar, the former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Podapadar and Talnegi grampanchayat in Kalahandi district for embezzling government funds worth Rs 3.26 crore.
The former PEO has embezzled Rs.1,71,86,342 from Talnegi GP.and Rs.1,55,00,758 from Podapadar G.P. under 15 CFC and 5th SFC accounts of the two G.Ps by abusing his official power and forging signature of Sarpanch of the G.Ps., through cheque drawal and on-line transfer using P.F.M.S. to his personal account at S.B.I., Dharamgarh Bazar Branch, Dist. Kalahandi.
Sagar entered into Govt. service as PEO on 04.07.2016 and was posted to Talnegi G.P. under Th.Rampur Block. He was also I/c PEO of Podapadar G.P. in addition to Talnegi G.P. Soon in his career, from the period from 05.05.2018 to 17.03.2022, he began misappropriating government funds from both the G.Ps and used the same for Cricket betting through online portal FAIRPLAY.
Earlier, in 2023, he was booked by Vigilance for similar misappropriation of govt funds to the tune of Rs 1.04 crore, while he was PEO in 3 GPs namely Badachhatrang, Birikot and Pahadpadar under Lanjigarh Block, Dist-Kalahandi, and was placed under suspension for such misappropriation.
During investigation, further inputs were received regarding the above misappropriation, which were enquired into. Following the preliminary enquiry, Odisha Vigilance has registered 2 more cases vide Koraput Vigilance P.S. Case No.12 &13 dated 21.03.2025 U/s 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (a) P.C. Act, 1988 as amended by PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 against the former PEO