Odisha Bank Official Arrested for Diverting Over Rs 33 Lakh in Public Funds

An Odisha cooperative official has been arrested on charges of misappropriating government funds exceeding Rs 33 lakh. Vigilance investigation revealed the misdeed, involving falsified records and fund diversion, occurred during the 2017-18 fiscal year.

An official with a cooperative society in Odisha was detained by Vigilance authorities on Saturday for allegedly misappropriating government funds amounting to over Rs 33 lakh. The individual in question is Patitapaban Majhi, who previously served as the executive secretary of the Garhsantri Service Co-operative Society under the Angul United Central Co-operative Bank, Banarpal branch.

Majhi, currently employed as a banking assistant at the Angul headquarters of the same bank, is accused of committing fraud during the 2017-18 financial year. The alleged Crime involved falsifying entries in day books to misappropriate funds meant for agriculture and cooperative development.

Investigators disclosed that even though the records showed balanced transactions, a total of Rs 33,80,963 in cash was not deposited into the designated bank. Instead, the funds were allegedly used for personal gain. These actions led to charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant sections being filed against Majhi.