In a crackdown on corruption within agricultural cooperatives, the Odisha Vigilance has arrested Sri Suresh Chandra Sahu, the Secretary of the Kadopada Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) in Deogarh district.
Sahu faces charges of financial fraud and embezzlement involving a staggering Rs 40,71,644/-, funds that were meant to support local farmers but were allegedly siphoned off through deliberate manipulation of records.
The investigation by Vigilance officers uncovered a systematic scheme where Sahu exploited his position to divert public funds. Specifically, he received cash repayments from loanee farmers for their agricultural loans but intentionally omitted these transactions from the PACS Day Book—the primary ledger for original entries. This omission rendered the amounts unaccounted for, allowing Sahu to pocket the money and severely undermine the cooperative’s financial stability. Such fraud not only hampers the institution’s operations but also erodes trust in systems designed to aid vulnerable farming communities in rural Odisha.
The case highlights the vulnerabilities in grassroots financial institutions that serve as lifelines for farmers, providing loans and other support. By targeting these repayments, Sahu’s actions directly impacted the farmers who had dutifully settled their debts, only to have the funds vanish into personal gain.
Authorities registered the case under anti-corruption laws at the Rourkela Vigilance Police Station (Case No. 12/2025). Following his arrest today, Suresh Chandra Sahu is being presented before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur, for further legal proceedings.
A detailed report from the Vigilance Directorate is expected soon, potentially revealing more insights into the extent of the fraud.
