Berhampur: A former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) was arrested for allegedly embezzling around Rs 1.37 crore from Keluapalli gram panchayat under Rangeilunda block of Odisha’s Ganjam district.
Sources said the ex-PEO, identified as Samir Kumar Mishra, was arrested by Golanthara police on Sunday after a thorough investigation into the financial irregularities committed by him.
The fraud came to light when the current PEO, Biswajit Ray, found a fake passbook while reviewing financial records of the office. He reported the matter to the Block Development Officer (BDO), following which a formal investigation was launched.
In course of the probe, it was found that Mishra had submitted forged passbooks during the 2023-24 audit period and had diverted government funds meant for various development projects in the village
Mishra was taken into custody and presented before the court on Sunday. Two mobile phones and an ATM card were also seized from him.
Further investigation is in progress and efforts are on to trace and recover the misappropriated funds.