Bhubaneswar, Feb 22: The Odisha Vigilance Department arrested a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) and his brother on Saturday for allegedly misappropriating government funds amounting to ₹7,20,981. The arrested individuals have been identified as Satyabrata Baral, the PEO of Ghuchaguda Gram Panchayat under Sinapali block in Nuapada district, and his brother Uttam Baral.
According to an official press release, the two conspired with Bijaylaxmi Baral, the Sarpanch of Kureswar Gram Panchayat, and Barun Das, the PEO of Kureswar Gram Panchayat, to misappropriate the CFC (Central Finance Commission) and SFC (State Finance Commission) funds. The investigation revealed that the entire allocated funds were siphoned off without executing the planned development works in Kureswar Gram Panchayat. These funds were meant for installing high mast lights, repairing and maintaining street lights, and supplying gym equipment for a local park during the 2024-25 financial year.
Further findings show that ₹4.2 lakh was transferred to the accounts of Satyabrata and Uttam Baral, who are the sons of Bijaylaxmi Baral, while the remaining ₹3,00,981 was deposited into the account of Barun Das.
A case (Koraput Vigilance PS Case No. 4, dated 21.02.2025) has been registered against all four under Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, along with Sections 316(5) and 61BNS.
Odisha Vigilance arrests PEO and brother for misappropriating ₹7.2 lakh
