Odisha Vigilance arrests Junior Engineer for misappropriation of govt funds in Kendrapara

Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday arrested Ratnesh Kumar Pandey, Junior Engineer (JE) of Pattamundai Block in Kendrapara district, on charges of financial fraud and embezzlement of government funds.

According to sources, Pandey was arrested on December 16 in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds under an electrification project for street lights in Pattamundai Block during the 2023–24 financial year. The accused allegedly diverted government funds without executing the sanctioned work.

During the course of the investigation, Vigilance officials found that Gram Panchayat development funds were misappropriated and transferred to Pandey’s personal bank account maintained at the State Bank of India, Pipili branch. 

So far, evidence of Rs 9.70 lakh being transferred to his personal accounts has been established, officials said, adding that further investigation is underway to ascertain additional instances of misappropriation.

In this connection, Odisha Vigilance has registered Cuttack Vigilance Police Station Case No. 35/2025 under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(a) and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, and Sections 409 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

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The arrested JE will be produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack. Vigilance officials said the investigation is underway.