Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) Binayak Nayak for allegedly embezzling government funds worth ₹12.87 lakh meant for development works in Kuerimandu Gram Panchayat under Phiringia block of Kandhamal district.
According to Vigilance officials, Nayak is accused of misappropriating ₹12,87,201 from the State Finance Commission (SFC) Fund of the gram panchayat during February–March 2025. The funds were reportedly shown as utilised without any developmental work being carried out.
Following the discovery of the alleged financial irregularities, the Berhampur Vigilance Division registered a case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Nayak has been taken into custody and will be produced before the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Phulbani. Officials said further investigation is underway to trace the fund flow and identify any additional complicity.
