Bhubaneswar, 16 December (H.S.): Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday arrested Ratnesh Kumar Pandey, Junior Engineer (JE) of Pattamundai Block in Kendrapara district, on charges of financial fraud and embezzlement of government funds.

According to an official press release issued by Odisha Vigilance, Pandey was taken into custody on December 16, 2025, for allegedly misappropriating government funds without executing the sanctioned work under the Electrification Project of Street Lights in Pattamundai Block during the 2023–24 financial year.

The vigilance investigation revealed that the accused had allegedly diverted GP Developmental Funds and transferred the amounts to his personal bank account maintained at the State Bank of India, Pipili branch. “So far, evidence of ₹9.70 lakh being transferred to his personal accounts has been collected, and further investigation is underway to ascertain additional instances of misappropriation,” the release stated.

Odisha Vigilance has registered a case in this connection vide Cuttack Vigilance Police Station Case No. 35/2025 under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(a) and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, and Sections 409 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code.

The accused JE is being forwarded to the court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack, for further legal proceedings, the press release added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda