Bhubaneswar: A Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) and his brother were arrested on Saturday by the Odisha Vigilance for misappropriating government funds of Rs 7,20,981.
The arrested persons have been identified as Satyabrata Baral, the PEO of Ghuchaguda gram panchayat under Sinapali block of Nuapada district and his brother Uttam Baral.
According to an official press release, the two carried out the misappropriation of CFC and SFC funds in conspiracy with Bijaylaxmi Baral, the Sarpanch of Kureswar gram panchayat and Barun Das, the PEO of Kureswar gram panchayat.
The investigation revealed that the accused misappropriated the entire funds without completing the planned works in Kureswar Gram Panchayat. The funds were meant for the installation of high mast lights, repair and maintenance of street lights and the supply of gym equipment for the park in the gram panchayat during 2024-2025.
Official sources added that Rs 4.2 lakh was credited to the accounts of the Baral brothers, who are the sons of Bijaylaxmi Baral, the Sarpanch. The remaining Rs 3,00,981 was credited to the account of Barun Das, the PEO of Kureswar Gram Panchayat.
A case (Koraput Vigilance PS Case No. 4, dated 21.02.2025) has been registered under Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Sections 316(5) and 61BNS. The case involves Satyabrata Baral, Uttam Baral, Bijaylaxmi Baral, and Barun Das.
The Vigilance department added that further investigation is ongoing.
