Koraput: Vigilance sleuths arrested Surendra Bhatra, a former panchayat executive officer (PEO) of Parchipara and Kacharapada-III gram panchayats (GP)s in Nabarangpur district, for misappropriation of govt funds of over Rs 65 lakh.
Officers said the funds were allocated for developmental projects during 2023-24. However, the projects were not executed, leading to the embezzlement of funds.
“The accused was on the run since Sept, frequently changing locations to evade capture. We tracked his movements and successfully apprehended him. He was prodcued before the special judge (vigilance) in Jeypore,” said Pradyumna Kumar Dwivedi, SP (vigilance), Jeypore.
Two cases were registered against Bhatra under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and other relevant laws.TNN