JE Held for Misappropriation of Street Light Funds

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday arrested a Junior Engineer posted at Pattamundai block in Kendrapara district for allegedly misappropriating government funds meant for street light electrification.

The accused has been identified as Ratnesh Kumar Pandey. Vigilance officials alleged that he siphoned off public money without executing the assigned electrification work during the 2023–24 financial year.

According to the anti-corruption agency, Pandey was entrusted with the implementation of a street light electrification project under Gram Panchayat development funds. However, during the investigation it was found that the work was not carried out, while the sanctioned amount was allegedly diverted for personal use.

Vigilance officials said Pandey transferred the misappropriated funds to his personal bank account maintained at a State Bank of India branch in Pipili. Evidence of Rs 9.70 lakh being credited to his personal accounts has been collected during the probe.

A case has been registered in this connection at the Cuttack Vigilance Police Station. The accused Junior Engineer was produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance Court, Cuttack. Vigilance officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether additional government funds were misappropriated.