Archive · 23 Sep 2025
Odisha School Principal Arrested for Embezzlement and Gambling
The head of a school in Odisha was arrested because he took money that was supposed to be used for the students.
This money was from programs that help students with meals and other school activities.
The principal used the money, about 55 lakh rupees, for himself.
Part of that money, 11 lakh, was used to gamble on an app called Teenpatti.
The police are now investigating where the rest of the money went.
Soumya Ranjan Kheti, former principal, was arrested for embezzling funds.
The embezzlement totaled Rs 55.02 lakh between 2021 and 2025.
Funds were diverted from schemes like Mid-Day Meal and Mo School Abhijan.
Approximately Rs 11 lakh of the stolen money was spent on online gambling.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Who
- Soumya Ranjan Kheti, former principal of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV)
- What
- Arrested for embezzling school funds and online gambling.
- When
- Arrested on Sunday.
- Where
- Binika, Subarnapur district, Odisha.
- Why
- Allegedly diverted funds meant for school welfare schemes for personal gain, including online gambling.
- Accused
- Soumya Ranjan Kheti
- Position
- Former principal, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV)
- Location
- Binika, Subarnapur district
- Embezzled Amount
- Rs 55.02 lakh
- Funds Misused From
- MDM, Mo School Abhijan, Girls' Hostel
- Spent on Gambling
- Rs 11 lakh
- Gambling App
- Teenpatti
- Arrest Date
- Sunday