The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha has arrested Madhusmita Singh, former Executive Officer of Belpahar Municipality and suspended tehsildar of Jamda, Mayurbhanj, in connection with a massive corruption scandal involving the misappropriation of over Rs4 crore.
Singh’s arrest follows the earlier detention of municipality accountant Bibhuti Sahu. The case was handed over to the EOW on August 27 after preliminary investigations revealed serious financial irregularities during Singh’s tenure. She had been suspended by the Revenue Department on August 30.
Investigators also uncovered that under the current Executive Officer, Gourav Chandra Pradhan, payments exceeding Rs2 crore were made without proper verification of the municipality’s cashbook. Pradhan has been summoned for questioning, and officials are expected to examine financial records since he assumed office.
The scandal has exposed systemic lapses across multiple departments, including the Treasury Directorate, District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), and district administration. Observers have raised concerns about how such large-scale fraud went undetected despite regular review meetings.
Authorities indicated that with the investigation gaining momentum, further arrests and departmental accountability are expected in the coming weeks.
