Cuttack, May 30: In a significant crackdown on corruption within cooperative banking institutions, Odisha Vigilance on Saturday arrested a cooperative official for allegedly misappropriating government funds amounting to ₹33,80,963.

The accused, Patitapaban Majhi, formerly Secretary of the Garhsantri Service Co-operative Society (SCS) under the Angul United Central Co-operative Bank (AUCCB) Ltd., Banarpal Branch, is currently employed as a banking assistant at the AUCCB headquarters in Angul.

Investigations revealed that the financial irregularities date back to the financial year 2017-18. During his tenure as Executive Secretary of Garhsantri SCS, Majhi was entrusted with managing daily financial collections and government deposits.

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However, Vigilance officials found that he allegedly fabricated entries in the primary account logs (Day Books) of the cooperative society. While the books reflected balanced transactions, the actual cash — totalling ₹33.80 lakh — was never deposited into the AUCCB.

Instead, the funds, earmarked for agricultural and cooperative development schemes, were diverted for personal use. This fraudulent activity not only undermined the integrity of cooperative institutions but also deprived farmers and rural communities of crucial financial support.

Following the investigation, Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No. 21 dated 29.05.2026 was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Majhi has been taken into custody and is being forwarded to the Honourable Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Angul.

Officials emphasized that the arrest underscores the state government’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in cooperative banking operations.

Vigilance authorities have assured that further inquiries will continue to ensure recovery of misappropriated funds and to strengthen safeguards against similar financial crimes in the future.