Vigilance Crackdown / Odisha Vigilance Busts Rs65.90-Lakh Fraud in Dhenkanal DFO Office, 3 Arrested

Kataka, Oct 18: Odisha Vigilance has unearthed an alleged financial embezzlement of Rs65.90 lakh at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Dhenkanal, and arrested of a senior clerk and two of his associates in what officials described as a decade-long fraud involving diversion of government funds, officials said on Sunday.

The arrested persons have been identified as Sujit Kumar Jena, Senior Clerk in the DFO office, Soumya Ranjan Behera, a staff member attached to the Elephant Squad under Sadar Range, and Rashmi Ranjan Swain.

Today, #Odisha #Vigilance arrested Sujit Kumar Jena, Senior Clerk, O/o the Divisional Forest Officer, #Dhenkanal & his two associatees Soumya Ranjan Behera( Staffer) & Rashmi Ranjan Swain, in connection with a decade-long financial fraud of Rs.65.90 Lakhs.

— Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) October 18, 2026

According to Vigilance officials, a detailed verification of financial transactions carried out between 2016 and 2026 revealed a systematic misappropriation of government funds amounting to Rs65,90,773. Investigators alleged that Jena exploited his administrative access and official position to divert public money into private bank accounts belonging to himself, family members and associates.

The probe found that funds earmarked for salaries of dismissed and absconding employees, retirement arrears, provisional pensions, establishment pay bills, contingency expenditures, staff salary arrears and even travelling allowance (T.A.) claims were allegedly siphoned off through fraudulent transactions.

During the investigation, Vigilance detected several suspicious transfers. A sum of Rs8,72,520 was allegedly credited to the bank account of Jena’s mother. Investigators also found that Rs10,48,866 had been transferred to Behera, while Rs8,86,193 was routed to Swain.

Officials said the accused persons remained elusive for a considerable period after the irregularities surfaced. Odisha Vigilance eventually tracked them down using technical intelligence and mobile location surveillance before carrying out their arrest.
Also Read: Midnight Vigilance Chase Nets Engineer with ₹22 Lakh

A case has been registered under Kataka Vigilance P.S. Case No. 40/2026 under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The three accused were being produced before the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Dhenkanal.

Vigilance officials said the investigation is continuing to determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged embezzlement and to establish accountability for the diversion of public funds.