Odisha Vigilance Arrests Officials in Corruption and Loan Fraud Cases

Case 1: Bribery in Rajkanika Block

Md. Firoz Khan, Accountant-cum-Supporting Staff, was caught red-handed by Odisha Vigilance while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand) from a complainant. The bribe was demanded in exchange for passing a bill of Rs. 1.93 lakh and releasing the remaining payment to an SHG that had already supplied school uniforms to schools in Rajkanika Block, as per government terms and conditions.

Following the complaint, a trap was set on 17.03.2025, leading to the arrest of Md. Firoz Khan in front of Rajendra Narayan High School. The entire bribe amount was recovered from his possession and seized in the presence of witnesses. Chemical tests on his left-hand wash and pant pocket confirmed the handling and acceptance of bribe money.

Subsequently, simultaneous searches were conducted at his residence in Vill-Loharmahi, PO-Poilipur, PS-Rajkanika, Dist-Kendrapara, and his office. Md. Firoz Khan has been arrested and will be produced before the court.

In this regard, Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No. 05, dated 13.03.2025, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

Case 2: Loan Fraud in Lakhanpur PACS

On 17.03.2025, Sri Dhruba Charan Sahu, Clerk-cum-Accountant of Lakhanpur PACS, Dist-Bargarh, was arrested by Odisha Vigilance for embezzling Rs. 31,47,685/- in public funds. He misused his official position by failing to deposit collected loan repayments and falsifying the Day Book of the Society to show a lower closing balance during the financial year 2019-20.

He is being forwarded to the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bargarh.

In this connection, Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No. 2, dated 17.03.2025, under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, has been registered. The investigation is in progress.