In a significant breakthrough against corruption in the health sector, the Odisha Vigilance Department has arrested five staff members of the Community Health Centre (CHC) Kodala in Ganjam district for allegedly misappropriating government funds exceeding Rs 2 crore through fraudulent arrear salary bills.
The Berhampur Vigilance Police Station registered Case No. 04 on Wednesday following complaints that hospital employees had prepared fake salary arrear bills in the names of various staff between 2023 and 2025, drawing unauthorised payments from government accounts.
The arrested individuals are:
– Sri Jatin Kumar Bhuyan, Senior Assistant
– Smt Bharati Pradhan, MPHW (Female)
– Sri Gopal Nahak, Attendant
– Smt Manu Nayak, Sweeper
– Sri Rama Chandra Mallika, Attendant, PHC Beguniapada
All five were produced before the Hon’ble Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur, and have been forwarded to judicial custody.
According to Vigilance officials, the accused allegedly resorted to falsifying records and preparing unauthorised arrear bills to siphon off public money meant for genuine employee payments. The total amount involved is reported to be over ₹2 crore.
The case has been registered under Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (409, 467, 468, 471, 120-B) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (316(5), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 61(2)).
An investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged syndicate and identify if any other officials were involved in the scam. Vigilance teams are examining financial records, digital signatures, and transaction details at the CHC.
Further updates are expected as the probe progresses.
