Bhubaneswar : The Odisha Vigilance on Friday apprehended Suresh Chandra Sahu, Secretary of the Kadopada Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) in Deogarh district, for allegedly committing large-scale financial irregularities and diverting cooperative funds worth ₹40,71,644.
According to Vigilance officials, the arrest comes after an extensive probe that exposed a pattern of deliberate financial misconduct. Investigators found that Sahu manipulated PACS account records, resulting in serious financial discrepancies that affected both the institution and its member farmers. A major observation during the inquiry was the intentional tampering of the PACS Day Book, which is the core register used for documenting financial entries.
How the Fraud Was Executed
The inquiry revealed that Sahu accepted cash repayments from farmers who were clearing their loans, but did not record these transactions in the Day Book. By omitting the entries, the repayment amounts remained off the official books, enabling him to illicitly pocket over ₹40 lakh.
This method of fraud is considered particularly harmful because it undermines financial systems designed to assist small and marginal farmers, who rely heavily on PACS for credit support.
Vigilance Action
A case has been filed at the Rourkela Vigilance Police Station under relevant anti-corruption provisions (Case No. 12/2025).
Following his arrest, Sahu is being produced before the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur for further judicial proceedings.
A detailed investigation report will be released subsequently.
