The Sarpanch of Pipilia gram panchayat in Keonjhar district was on Friday held by police on the charge of embezzling Government funds sanctioned for various developmental projects.
The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the Ghatgaon BDO in this regard. However, a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO), another accused in this case, is still absconding.
As per the complaint, Rs 23 lakh was sanctioned in last financial year for execution of various developmental projects in the panchayat. Instead of utlising the funds, Sarpanch Upendra Nayak and the PEO allegedly siphoned off all the money. Later, locals brought the matter to the notice of the local BDO, who lodged the police complaint against the two. Acting on the complaint, police detained the Sarpanch and began interrogating him in this connection.