Two arrested by Vigilance for role in fraud involving former Suliapada BDO

Bhubaneswar, Sept 13: Odisha Vigilance has arrested two associates of former Suliapada BDO Parikhita Jena in connection with the misappropriation of government funds amounting to Rs 11,979,788. The arrested associates, Dibyalochan Dash and Manoj Kumar Deo, will be presented in court today.

The Odisha Vigilance released a statement on Friday detailing that Parikhita Jena, the former Block Development Officer of Suliapada in Mayurbhanj district, was apprehended on August 14. Jena is accused of embezzling the substantial sum of Rs 11,979,788.

Investigations revealed that Jena had transferred Rs 10 lakh to Dibyalochan Dash's Axis Bank account in Bhanjapur on March 3 and March 10, 2022. Additionally, Rs 814,112 was transferred to Manoj Kumar Deo’s Indian Bank account at Baripada branch.

A case was filed at the Balasore Vigilance police station under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.

Previously, on August 14, Parikhita Jena and three of his close associates—Debadutta Das, former cashier of Suliapada block, along with private individuals Sujit Kumar Mohanty and Akhila Kumar Das—were also arrested in relation to this case.