1 week ago
Rayagada DUDA Misappropriation Probe Faces Questions Over Delays
Officials in Rayagada are investigating whether money was improperly taken from the District Urban Development Agency.
The suspected amount was first thought to be about Rs 10 lakh.
A later departmental inquiry said it could be around Rs 1.09 crore.
The case involves Binaya Harijan, an outsourced employee who worked with information systems and accounts.
Investigators believe forged signatures may have been used to move government money into a bank account.
Harijan has not been found, and his phone is switched off.
Police say the investigation is continuing but staff shortages have slowed it down.
The local MLA wants a specialised agency to investigate whether senior officials or others were also involved.
A departmental inquiry estimated alleged DUDA fund misappropriation at Rs 1.09 crore, up from an initial estimate of Rs 10 lakh.
DUDA filed a police complaint on July 18 after the irregularity surfaced on July 10.
The case centres on outsourced MIS and accounts staff member Binaya Harijan, who remains untraced.
Investigators allege forged signatures and other methods were used to transfer government funds into a bank account.
The Rayagada MLA has sought an Economic Offences Wing probe, while police cite staff shortages for delays.
- Who
- DUDA, Rayagada police, outsourced staff member Binaya Harijan, the Rayagada MLA, and investigating officials including Additional SP Satyakumar Nanda.
- What
- An investigation into alleged misappropriation of Rs 1.09 crore from DUDA through suspected forged signatures and fund transfers.
- Where
- The District Urban Development Agency office and Rayagada police station.
- When
- The irregularity surfaced on July 10, and DUDA filed a police complaint on July 18; the report says more than a month has since passed.
- Why
- The alleged misuse of government funds has prompted concerns about internal financial controls, supervisory oversight, and the pace and handling of the investigation.
Critics and Political Representatives
Police and Administrative Investigators
Pace of investigation
Critics and Political Representatives
Critics have questioned why the investigation has progressed slowly more than a month after the complaint.
Police and Administrative Investigators
The Rayagada police station IIC said the investigation is ongoing and that staff shortages have slowed progress, while efforts are being made to expedite it.
Specialised agency involvement
Critics and Political Representatives
The Rayagada MLA has sought transfer of the case to the Economic Offences Wing and questioned why it was not directly referred to a specialised economic-offences or cybercrime unit.
Police and Administrative Investigators
Police said all aspects are being investigated and that bank officials and others linked to the transactions may be questioned if required.
Possible wider responsibility
Critics and Political Representatives
The MLA alleged that an irregularity of this scale could not have occurred without senior officials’ involvement, while critics also questioned the lack of stronger administrative action against supervisory officials.
Police and Administrative Investigators
Investigators are examining whether Binaya Harijan acted alone or had assistance from others; no wider involvement has been established in the report.
Key facts
- Agency
- District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), Rayagada
- Alleged amount
- Approximately Rs 1.09 crore, according to a departmental inquiry
- Initial estimate
- Around Rs 10 lakh when the irregularity first surfaced
- Complaint date
- July 18
- Suspect
- Binaya Harijan, an outsourced MIS and accounts staff member
- Investigation status
- Ongoing; transaction-related documents have been seized
- Police explanation
- The newly posted Rayagada police station IIC cited staff shortages as a factor slowing the probe
Sources
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