An Odisha Vigilance raid has been reported at properties linked to Bhanja Kishore Behera, a former Senior Revenue Assistant associated with Tirtol Block in Jagatsinghpur district, in connection with an alleged government fund misappropriation case involving more than ₹3 crore.
According to the information available, simultaneous searches are being conducted at six locations, including Behera’s ancestral residence at Pateni village under Raghunathpur block, his office and his in-laws’ residence. The searches are part of the Vigilance action connected with the alleged financial irregularities.
The case has drawn attention because the alleged misappropriation is linked to government funds amounting to ₹3,02,95,000. Odisha Vigilance had earlier arrested Behera and another former Tirtol Block official, Pradipta Kumar Mallik, in connection with the case.
₹3.02 Crore Government Fund Case
The investigation relates to alleged financial irregularities at the Tirtol Block office over several financial years. Vigilance findings reported on August 13 said the alleged fraud covered the period from 2011–12 to 2021–22.
Investigators alleged that government salary registers and disbursement documents were manipulated and that inflated or fraudulent salary bills were prepared beyond sanctioned budget allocations. The alleged proceeds were subsequently transferred into personal bank accounts, according to Vigilance information reported by multiple news outlets.
The investigation also named the late Rajdeep Hansda, a former Assistant Executive Engineer of Tirtol Block, in connection with the alleged irregularities. He is deceased.
Behera and Former PEO Mallik Arrested
Odisha Vigilance arrested Bhanja Kishore Behera and Pradipta Kumar Mallik on August 13 in connection with the alleged misappropriation case.
Behera was identified as a former Senior Revenue Assistant of Tirtol Block and was subsequently posted as a Senior Revenue Assistant at Naugaon Tahasil. Mallik, a former Panchayat Executive Officer of Tirtol Block, has retired. Both were produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, in Cuttack, according to reports.
An earlier report said an audit by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department had detected irregularities. It alleged that excess salary bills and false arrear claims were submitted to the sub-treasury during the period when Behera was posted at Tirtol Block.
The same report said the alleged withdrawals totalled ₹3.02 crore, with ₹1.74 crore allegedly credited to Behera’s personal SBI account, ₹86 lakh to Mallik’s account and ₹42.59 lakh to the account of the late Rajdeep Hansda. These are allegations contained in the investigation and have not been established as final findings by a court.
Investigation Continues
The Odisha Vigilance case was registered as Kataka Vigilance Police Station Case No. 30, dated August 12, 2026. The case invokes provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, along with several sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to alleged criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and use of forged documents.
The latest searches at multiple locations are part of the continuing investigation. Authorities are expected to examine documents and other material relevant to the alleged financial transactions as the case progresses.
The Odisha Vigilance raid and investigation highlight the agency’s ongoing action into the alleged ₹3.02 crore government fund case linked to the former Tirtol Block officials. Further developments will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
