Sambalpur Excise Department Unearths Major Financial Scam
In a significant development, Sambalpur police have arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in a major financial scam that siphoned off nearly Rs 3.67 crore of government funds from the excise department. Superintendent of Police (Sambalpur) Mukesh Bhamu confirmed the arrests on Friday, revealing details of the elaborate fraud that spanned several years.
Accused Identified and Charges Detailed
The primary accused have been identified as Sandeep Kumar Pattnaik, a suspended junior assistant who was posted in the Sambalpur excise office, and Sarat Chandra Behera, a retired assistant sub-inspector (ASI). Police authorities have indicated that another retired ASI, Achyut Dehuri, is currently under investigation and scrutiny in connection with the same scam.
Timeline and Discovery of the Scam
According to the official statement from SP Mukesh Bhamu, the embezzlement activities took place between November 2022 and October 2025. The financial irregularities first came to light during an internal audit conducted by the excise department itself. Following the discovery of discrepancies, a formal complaint was promptly lodged at the Ainthapali police station, initiating the criminal investigation.
Modus Operandi: Exploiting Government Systems
Investigators uncovered that the accused allegedly executed their scheme by:
- Generating fake sanction orders through misuse of the IFMS (Integrated Financial Management System) portal
- Fraudulently withdrawing government money by projecting these transactions as legitimate pension dues and pending salary payments
- Creating a sophisticated paper trail to conceal their illicit activities
Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Investigation
During coordinated raids conducted by the police, authorities successfully seized Rs 23.46 lakh in cash from the possession of the accused. Additionally, approximately Rs 44 lakh lying in multiple bank accounts linked to the suspects has been frozen to prevent further movement of the illicit funds.
SP Mukesh Bhamu emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Police teams are currently working to:
- Trace the complete money trail to identify all transactions and beneficiaries
- Ascertain whether other officials were involved in facilitating or benefiting from the scam
- Determine the full extent of financial damage caused to government coffers
- Recover any remaining embezzled funds through legal channels
The case highlights vulnerabilities in government financial systems and underscores the need for enhanced monitoring mechanisms within departmental operations. The Sambalpur excise department scam serves as a stark reminder of how trusted positions can be exploited for personal gain, necessitating stricter oversight and accountability measures across all government departments.
