Odisha Vigilance arrests Sambalpur college ex-principal over ₹73.44 lakh embezzlement
Synopsis
A former in-charge principal of a government-aided college in Sambalpur allegedly siphoned off nearly ₹73.45 lakh over five years — through fake billing, ghost equipment procurement, and a fictitious digitisation project. Odisha Vigilance's arrest of Basanta Kumar Naik, who continued teaching at the same college, underscores how institutional oversight gaps in state-funded education can be exploited across successive financial years.
Key Takeaways
Basanta Kumar Naik , former in-charge principal of Dutika Sahu College , Sambalpur, was arrested by Odisha Vigilance on 26 August .
He allegedly misappropriated ₹73,44,950 in government funds between 2019-20 and 2024-25 .
Methods allegedly included false billing , non-receipt of equipment , and diversion of grants under the pretext of a digital management software project.
Case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 ; Naik produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur .
In a separate case, Sangram Pattnaik of Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment for misappropriating GPF funds of health workers between 1999 and 2003 .
Odisha Vigilance said it will move to dismiss Pattnaik from service following his conviction.
Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday, 26 August arrested Basanta Kumar Naik, former in-charge principal of Dutika Sahu College, Laida, under Rengali block in Sambalpur district, on charges of misappropriating government funds worth ₹73.44 lakh. Naik, who currently serves as a lecturer in Political Science at the same institution, was produced before the court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur following his arrest.
What the Investigation Found
According to the Vigilance Department, the alleged financial irregularities span the financial years 2019-20 to 2024-25 — the period during which Naik held charge as principal. Investigators found that funds sanctioned for infrastructure development works at the college were allegedly siphoned off without the corresponding work ever being carried out.
The probe also uncovered false billing and the non-receipt of institutional equipment despite government funds being released for procurement. Additionally, the Vigilance alleged that grants were diverted under the pretext of implementing automation and digital management software at the college — a scheme that, according to investigators, was never executed.
Case Registered, Legal Provisions Invoked
Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station registered Case No. 13/26 against Naik under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 316(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The total alleged misappropriation amounts to ₹73,44,950, all drawn from public funds over the five-year period.
Second Corruption Case: Kendujhar Clerk Convicted
In a separate development, a Vigilance court in Kendujhar district sentenced Sangram Pattnaik, currently posted as Senior Clerk at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, to two years of rigorous imprisonment. Pattnaik was convicted of misappropriating GPF refund amounts of health workers between 1999 and 2003 while serving as Junior Clerk at Padmapur Community Health Centre in Kendujhar.
According to the Vigilance, the funds were deducted from health workers' salaries but never remitted to the Accountant General (AG), Odisha, Bhubaneswar. The department said it would approach the competent authority for action against Pattnaik under service rules and would initiate steps to dismiss him from government service in view of his conviction.
Pattern of Accountability in Odisha
Both cases reflect a sustained enforcement push by Odisha Vigilance against public servants accused of diverting state funds. The Dutika Sahu College case is notable for its scale — nearly ₹73.45 lakh allegedly misused across five financial years — and for the breadth of methods reportedly employed, from false billing to fictitious digital projects. With Naik now before the Special Vigilance Court, the outcome of the trial will be closely watched by education sector oversight bodies in the state.
Point of View
Ghost equipment, and a fictitious digitisation project, yet continued in the same institution as a lecturer. That Naik remained employed at the college throughout the alleged fraud period raises pointed questions about how Odisha's education department monitors fund utilisation at grant-in-aid colleges. The concurrent Kendujhar conviction, involving GPF misappropriation dating back to 1999, signals that Odisha Vigilance is clearing a long backlog — but also that accountability has historically moved far too slowly to deter.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Basanta Kumar Naik and why was he arrested?
Basanta Kumar Naik is the former in-charge principal of Dutika Sahu College in Laida, Sambalpur district, Odisha. He was arrested on 26 August by Odisha Vigilance on charges of misappropriating government funds worth ₹73.44 lakh between the financial years 2019-20 and 2024-25.
What methods were allegedly used to embezzle the funds?
According to the Vigilance Department, Naik allegedly siphoned funds sanctioned for infrastructure development without executing the work, submitted false bills, claimed funds for equipment that was never received, and diverted grants under the pretext of implementing automation and digital management software at the college.
What charges have been filed against Basanta Kumar Naik?
Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station registered Case No. 13/26 against Naik under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 316(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. He was produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur.
Who is Sangram Pattnaik and what was his conviction for?
Sangram Pattnaik, currently a Senior Clerk at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, was convicted by a Vigilance court in Kendujhar district and sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment. He was found guilty of misappropriating GPF refund amounts of health workers between 1999 and 2003 while posted as Junior Clerk at Padmapur Community Health Centre.
What action will be taken against Sangram Pattnaik beyond imprisonment?
Odisha Vigilance has said it will approach the competent authority for action against Pattnaik under service rules and will initiate steps to dismiss him from government service in view of his criminal conviction.
