Bhubaneswar: Vigilance sleuths on Monday arrested Soumya Ranjan Kheti, former Principal of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) at Binika in Sonepur district, for allegedly embezzling government money to the tune of Rs 55,02,610.
A Vigilance statement said that the ex-Principal swindled the money under MDM, Mo School Abhijan, and Girls’ Hostel Fund Contingencies during the financial year 2021-22 to 2024-25 by abusing his official power.
Further investigation revealed that he had registered with an online app, Teenpatti, and used Rs 11 lakh of the misappropriated amount to gamble and place bets.
Kheti was appointed as Principal of Binika Adarsh Vidyalaya with effect from September 29, 2021. Inputs were received regarding misappropriation of government funds by Kheti during his tenure, which were probed into.
Following an inquiry, Odisha Vigilance registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and 316/61(2) BNS against him. He has been arrested and further interrogation is underway to ascertain the details of misappropriation and use of the government funds, it added.