DHENKANAL: An alleged decade-long financial embezzlement involving ₹65.90 lakh has been uncovered at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Dhenkanal, Odisha. The Odisha Vigilance Department has arrested three people, including a senior clerk, following an investigation into financial transactions spanning 2016 to 2026. The accused allegedly misused their access to official financial records and payment processes to divert government funds into private bank accounts. The suspected irregularities involve money allocated for employee salaries, retirement arrears, provisional pensions, establishment pay bills, contingency expenses and travelling allowance claims.
Senior Clerk Among Three Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sujit Kumar Jena, Soumya Ranjan Behera and Rashmi Ranjan Swain. Jena was employed as a senior clerk at the DFO office in Dhenkanal. Behera worked with the Elephant Squad under the Sadar Range, while Swain has been identified as an associate of Jena.
According to Odisha Vigilance, a detailed examination of financial transactions revealed an alleged pattern of systematic misappropriation of government funds over several years. Investigators suspect that official access to financial records and payment procedures was exploited to transfer money allocated for various administrative purposes into private accounts.
The investigation is focused on establishing how the alleged diversion was carried out, identifying the individuals involved in the transactions and determining whether other employees or external associates played a role in the suspected financial irregularities.
Salaries, Pension Payments and Travel Allowances Under Scanner
The investigation has identified several categories of government expenditure that were allegedly affected by the suspected embezzlement. These include funds meant for the salaries of dismissed and absconding employees, arrears payable to retiring employees, provisional pension payments, establishment pay bills and contingency expenses.
Salary arrears and payments linked to allegedly fraudulent travelling allowance (TA) claims are also under scrutiny. Investigators suspect that some of the money released under these heads may have been diverted from its intended purpose and transferred into private bank accounts.
Government funds allocated for salaries, pensions and administrative expenses are required to be disbursed in accordance with prescribed financial procedures. Alleged irregularities involving these payments have therefore raised questions about the monitoring of public expenditure and the safeguards governing financial transactions at the forest department office.
However, the precise nature of each transaction and the responsibility of the individuals concerned will have to be established through the ongoing investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Millions of Rupees Traced to Three Bank Accounts
During the investigation, Odisha Vigilance reportedly traced substantial amounts to bank accounts linked to the accused and their associates.
According to the agency, ₹8,72,520 was traced to the bank account of Jena’s mother. Another ₹10,48,866 was traced to Behera’s account, while ₹8,86,193 was found to have reached Swain’s account.
These transactions have emerged as important leads in the investigation into the alleged diversion of government money. Investigators are examining how the funds reached the respective accounts, the source of the transfers and the role of the account holders in the suspected transactions.
The amounts identified in these three accounts form part of the financial trail being examined by the agency. The investigation will seek to establish the relationship between these transfers and the overall alleged embezzlement of ₹65.90 lakh.
The presence of money in a particular bank account does not, by itself, establish criminal liability. The role and responsibility of each individual will have to be determined on the basis of documentary evidence, financial records and other findings gathered during the investigation.
Technical Surveillance Helps Vigilance Track Suspects
According to Odisha Vigilance, the three accused allegedly evaded arrest for an extended period after the suspected financial irregularities came to light.
Investigators subsequently used technical intelligence and mobile phone location monitoring to track their movements. The surveillance reportedly helped officials locate and arrest the suspects.
A case has been registered against the three accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Following their arrest, Jena, Behera and Swain were produced before the Special Vigilance Judge’s Court in Dhenkanal for further legal proceedings.
Probe Continues to Identify Other Possible Involvement
Odisha Vigilance has stated that the investigation is continuing. Officials are examining whether additional government employees or individuals outside the department were involved in the alleged diversion of funds.
The agency is also scrutinising financial transactions, bank account details and documents relating to payments made under different expenditure categories.
Given the period covered by the investigation, a key focus will be to reconstruct the flow of funds, establish how the alleged irregularities were carried out and determine accountability for the suspected misuse of public money.
If further evidence emerges indicating the involvement of other individuals or additional financial irregularities, further action may be initiated in accordance with the law.
For now, the three accused face legal proceedings in connection with the alleged ₹65.90 lakh embezzlement. The investigation is expected to establish the extent of the suspected fraud, the roles of the individuals involved and whether the alleged diversion extended beyond the transactions identified so far.
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