Bhubaneswar, August 26: Odisha Vigilance arrested the former principal of Dutikasahu College in the Rengali block of Sambalpur district on Wednesday. He is accused of embezzling ₹73.44 lakhs from government funds.
The accused, Basant Kumar Naik, is currently serving as a Political Science lecturer at the same institution. According to the Vigilance Department, the alleged financial irregularities occurred during Naik’s tenure as principal from the financial years 2019-20 to 2024-25. Following his arrest, he was presented in the special judge’s court for Vigilance in Sambalpur.
The investigation revealed that Naik misappropriated funds approved for infrastructure development at the college without executing any work. Irregularities were also uncovered, including false billing and the non-delivery of equipment despite funds being approved for the institution.
Vigilance has further alleged that government grants were misused under the pretext of implementing automation and digital management software at the college. In connection with this case, Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station has registered a case against Naik under Section 13(2) and 13(1)(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 316(5) and 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS), 2023, under case number 13/26.
The department stated that the alleged embezzlement involved a public fund of ₹73,44,950 during the period from 2019-20 to 2024-25.
In another corruption case, the Vigilance Court in Kendujhar sentenced Sangram Patnaik, a senior clerk at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, to two years of rigorous imprisonment. He was found guilty of misusing funds meant for health workers’ GPF refunds while working as a junior clerk at the Padmapur Community Health Center from 1999 to 2003.
It is alleged that these funds were deducted from health workers’ salaries but were not deposited with the Accountant General (AG) in Odisha, Bhubaneswar.
Vigilance has stated that it will contact the competent authority for appropriate action against Patnaik under service rules. Steps will also be taken to dismiss him from government service due to his conviction.
Leave a Comment