Bhubaneswar, Dec. 16 -- Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday arrested a Junior Engineer (JE) posted at Pattamundai Block in Kendrapara district for allegedly misappropriating government funds meant for street lights electrification.

The accused has been identified as Ratnesh Kumar Pandey. He is accused of siphoning off public money without executing the assigned work during the 2023-24 financial year.

According to the Vigilance, Pandey was responsible for implementing an electrification project for street lights in the block. During the investigation, it was found that the work was not carried out while government funds were allegedly diverted for personal use.

Accused transferred the amount to personal bank account Pandey allegedly misappropri...