PATHANAMTHITTA: A Village Extension Officer (VEO) has been taken into police custody in connection with the alleged misappropriation of over Rs 50 lakh allocated for beneficiaries under the LIFE Housing Scheme and house renovation project using forged documents. The accused, Rani Lakshmi, an employee at Tannithode Panchayat in Pathanamthitta, is currently being interrogated. Preliminary information gathered by the investigating team indicates that similar financial irregularities occurred across three panchayats where she previously served. Suspicion first arose in Seethathode Panchayat following delays in distributing project benefits to intended beneficiaries, raising demands for a financial audit. An inspection conducted by a special official team appointed by the Panchayat Secretary reportedly uncovered financial irregularities exceeding Rs 50 lakh.
According to police findings, Rani Lakshmi transferred funds sanctioned for genuine beneficiaries into the bank accounts of her relatives and friends. Investigations confirmed that fraud was committed in both her former workplace at Seethathode Panchayat and her current posting at Tannithode Panchayat. Cases have been registered in connection with the incident at Chittar and Tannithode police stations.
Following the registration of the case, police conducted a search at Rani Lakshmi’s residence located in Mlanthadath, Konni. The investigation team is also examining whether similar irregularities took place in Aruvapulam Panchayat, where she was posted earlier.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com