An outsourced MIS operator and accountant is accused of siphoning government funds through forged signatures, raising questions about financial controls and oversight at the Rayagada agency.
RAYAGADA, ODISHA: Odisha’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is likely to take over the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of ₹1.09 crore from the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) in Rayagada, following a recommendation by the district police chief. The case has raised concerns about financial oversight after an outsourced employee was allegedly able to transfer substantial government funds into a personal bank account.
Rayagada Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad has recommended transferring the case to the EOW, citing the scale of the alleged financial irregularity. The proposed transfer is expected to undergo review before being finalised. An EOW team may visit Rayagada to investigate the case once the transfer is approved.
FCRF’s Chief AI Officer Certification Returns on November 14 to Prepare Future AI Leaders
Outsourced Employee Accused of Diverting Government Funds
Departmental inquiries reportedly identified Binay Harijan, an outsourced employee working as a management information system (MIS) operator and accountant at DUDA, as the alleged main accused.
According to the findings, Harijan allegedly used forged signatures and fraudulent methods to transfer ₹1.09 crore from a designated departmental bank account into his personal account.
His responsibilities also included work related to streetlights and LED television management in urban areas. The allegations have prompted questions about how an outsourced employee was entrusted with financial duties involving substantial public funds and whether adequate authorisation and verification procedures were in place.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the accused has not been reported as having been arrested.
Suspected Fraud Came to Light in July
The alleged financial irregularity was detected on July 10, when the amount initially suspected to be involved was reportedly estimated at around ₹10 lakh. A subsequent examination of the transactions allegedly revealed that the amount diverted was significantly higher, reaching ₹1.09 crore.
On July 18, project director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Akshaya Khemundu, lodged a police complaint, eight days after the irregularity came to light.
Police registered a case and seized documents from the DUDA office as part of the investigation. However, the accused remains absconding, and progress in tracing him and establishing the full extent of the alleged fraud has reportedly been limited.
The proposed EOW takeover could bring additional investigative resources and specialised scrutiny to the financial transactions, documentation and circumstances surrounding the alleged diversion.
MLA Seeks Accountability From Senior Officials
Rayagada MLA Appalaswamy Kadraka has expressed concern over the alleged embezzlement, questioning whether a financial irregularity of this scale could have occurred without the knowledge or support of senior officials.
The MLA called for an EOW investigation and demanded scrutiny of the department’s officials, internal controls and the process through which the outsourced employee was assigned financial responsibilities.
The investigation may therefore need to establish not only how the money was allegedly transferred, but also whether existing checks were bypassed, whether the transactions received appropriate authorisation and whether any other individuals were involved.
What This Means For You
The alleged fraud highlights the importance of strong financial controls in government agencies. Independent verification of signatures, separation of accounting duties, transaction monitoring and regular audits can help detect suspicious transfers and protect public funds.
The420 Insight
The proposed EOW investigation could be significant in determining how ₹1.09 crore was allegedly diverted and whether failures in institutional oversight contributed to the incident. Accountability must extend beyond identifying the person accused of carrying out the transactions to examining the approval processes and safeguards designed to prevent misuse of public money.
About the Author – Ananya Aradhya writes on cybercrime, fraud, scams, cybersecurity, digital safety, and emerging threats. Her work also covers major criminal cases, financial frauds, consumer scams, and stories that highlight risks affecting people in the real and digital world.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
