Udupi: A case has been registered at Hebri police station against Manjunath, a bill collector with Shivapura Gram Panchayat, for allegedly misappropriating house tax collections and using the money for personal purposes.
Udupi Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Prateek Bayal has ordered Manjunath’s suspension from service following the allegations.
Panchayat alleges Rs 7.50 lakh misappropriation
Shivapura Gram Panchayat Development Officer Ashok filed a complaint at Hebri police station on Thursday, following which police registered a case of cheating.
According to the complaint, Manjunath allegedly misappropriated around Rs 7.50 lakh for personal use. After the alleged irregularity came to light, Ashok conducted an inquiry and issued a notice to Manjunath.
Manjunath subsequently repaid around Rs 3 lakh to the panchayat but allegedly failed to clear the remaining amount, the complaint stated.
Rs 4.54 lakh in house tax allegedly not deposited
The complaint further alleged that Manjunath failed to deposit Rs 1.18 lakh collected as house tax during 2023-24 and Rs 3.36 lakh collected during 2024-25 into the panchayat’s bank account.
The two amounts total Rs 4.54 lakh, which he allegedly used for personal purposes, according to the complaint.
The panchayat alleged that the failure to deposit the collections amounted to breach of trust and caused financial loss to the local body.
Police have registered the case and further investigation is under way. The allegations against Manjunath are subject to investigation and due legal process.