By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: On Saturday Debananda Sagar, Former PEO of Podapadar – Talnegi G.P. (now under suspension) under Thuamul-Rampur Block, Dist. Kalahandi has been arrested by Odisha Vigilance for embezzling Government money to the tune of Rs.3.26 crores (Rs.1,71,86,342/- from Talnegi G.P. & Rs.1,55,00,758/- from Podapadar G.P.) under 15 CFC and 5th SFC accounts of the two G.Ps by abusing his official power and forging signature of Sarpanch of the above G.Ps., through cheque drawal and on-line transfer using P.F.M.S. (Public Finance Management System), to his personal account at S.B.I., Dharamgarh Bazar Branch, in Kalahandi.
Sri Debananda Sagar entered into Government service as PEO on 04.07.2016 and was posted to Talnegi G.P. under Th.Rampur Block. He was also I/c PEO of Podapadar G.P. in addition to Talnegi G.P. Soon in his career, from the period from 05.05.2018 to 17.03.2022, he began misappropriating the above-mentioned Govt. Funds from both the G.Ps and used the same for Cricket betting through online portal FAIRPLAY.
Earlier, in 2023, he was booked by Vigilance for similar misappropriation of govt funds to the tune of Rs 1.04 crore, while he was PEO in 3 GPs namely Badachhatrang, Birikot and Pahadpadar under Lanjigarh Block, Dist-Kalahandi, and was placed under suspension for such misappropriation.
During investigation, further inputs were received regarding the above misappropriation, which were enquired into. Following the preliminary enquiry, Odisha Vigilance has registered 2 more cases vide Koraput Vigilance P.S. Case No.12 &13 dated 21.03.2025 U/s 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (a) P.C. Act, 1988 as amended by PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 against Sri Debananda Sagar, Former PEO, Podapdar, and Talnegi G.Ps under Th.Rampur Block, Dist. Kalahandi. He will be forwarded today to the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna in the cases.Detailed report follows.
