₹3 Crore HRMS Scam: Odisha Vigilance Arrests Kendrapada Revenue Assistant

The accused, identified as Sasikanta Rana, was serving as a Senior Revenue Assistant and is alleged to have misappropriated approximately ₹3.03 crore by manipulating government salary and pension disbursement records.

According to Vigilance officials, the fraud was carried out during his postings at both Rajkanika and Derabish blocks.

Investigators revealed that Rana allegedly generated fraudulent claims related to salaries, pensions, gratuity payments, arrears, and leave encashment.

The accused is said to have used the identities of retired and deceased employees, while replacing their bank account details with accounts allegedly linked to himself, family members, and an associate.

Preliminary findings indicate that nearly ₹1.47 crore was siphoned off during his tenure at Rajkanika Block, while another ₹1.57 crore was allegedly misappropriated during his posting at Derabish Block.

Following an intensive investigation, Odisha Vigilance tracked down the accused, who had allegedly been evading authorities. He was arrested and produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack.

A case has been registered under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

Officials stated that further investigation is underway to identify additional beneficiaries, trace money trails, and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged scam.

The case has once again raised concerns over financial oversight mechanisms in government departments and the need for stronger safeguards in digital payroll management systems.