Bhubaneswar/Koraput: Odisha vigilance officials on Sunday arrested a suspended staff of forest department in Nuapada district for allegedly misappropriating Rs 2.6 crore through fraudulent bills in the last three years.The accused, identified as Babulu Suna (39), was working as senior assistant-cum-in-charge of the establishment section at the divisional forest officer’s (DFO) office in Sunabeda wildlife division.According to vigilance officials, Suna allegedly misused his official position and generated forged arrear bills in the names of some retired and deceased employees under the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) and Revised Assured Career Progression (RACP) schemes. The money was allegedly transferred to bank accounts belonging to his family members and close associates.“Our investigation revealed that the accused fraudulently raised arrear bills using the identities and official credentials of former, retired and even deceased employees of the wildlife division,” vigilance SP S Susree said.The officials also found that Suna allegedly manipulated official records to claim salary increments beyond his entitlement.“He not only fabricated arrear bills in the names of other employees but also tampered with his own salary records to claim excess increments. Through this manipulation, he illegally drew an additional salary of about Rs 10.58 lakh over three years,” Susree said. According to vigilance sources, Suna is currently eligible to receive Rs 45,400 salary per month.Sources said the forest department detected the alleged fraud earlier this year and suspended Suna on June 13. Although no police complaint was filed against him at the time, he reportedly was absconding, according to vigilance sources. The irregularities came to light during a detailed verification of financial transactions and salary records at the DFO’s office.Vigilance launched a suo motu investigation about two months ago and traced Suna to a location in Balangir district on Sunday, leading to his arrest.Officials suspect that some others may have been involved in the alleged fraud as the transactions continued undetected for three years, exploiting loopholes in the processing and scrutiny of bills.