The Odisha Vigilance department has arrested Babulu Suna, a Senior Assistant in the Sunabeda Wildlife Division DFO office in Koraput district, for allegedly misappropriating over Rs 2.60 crore in government funds.
According to investigations, Suna masterminded the financial fraud starting in 2023 by generating fraudulent arrear bills under the MACP and RACP schemes. Exploiting his official position and using the credentials of former, retired, and deceased employees, he siphoned off a staggering Rs 2,60,21,306. The embezzled money was systematically transferred to the bank accounts of family members and two associates. Additionally, he illegally inflated his own salary, pocketing an excess of roughly Rs 10.58 lakh.
Following a formal request from the Forest Department, the Koraput Vigilance wing launched a probe. Suna had been evading arrest by remaining in hiding for six months before being tracked down and arrested in Balangir. He will be produced before the Vigilance Court in Bhawanipatna today.