Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22 -- Odisha Vigilance on Monday arrested the former Principal of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV), Binika, in Subarnapur district, on charges of embezzling over Rs 55 lakh government funds meant for student welfare schemes.

The accused, identified as Soumya Ranjan Kheti, allegedly misappropriated Rs 55,02,610 between 2021 and 2025. According to Vigilance, the funds were siphoned off from the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, Mo School Abhijan, and Girls' Hostel Fund contingencies during his tenure.

Kheti had joined the school as Principal on September 29, 2021. Based on intelligence inputs regarding large-scale irregularities, Vigilance launched an inquiry, which confirmed the diversion of funds.

Following the probe, a case ...