The Hiriyadka police in Udupi district have arrested two persons for allegedly misappropriating ₹23 lakh from the Padmakamala Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat-level Federation in Perdur.In a press release, the police said the arrested persons have been identified as Sugandhi, the main bookkeeper of the federation, and her husband Santosh.The police said Sugandhi was accused of making entries in the register for instalments of loan repayment but not crediting the amount to the federation’s account between 2023 and 2025. During the same period, she forged the signatures of the federation’s president and secretary, and misused cheques issued by the organisation to affiliated societies. Sugandhi, with the help of her husband Santosh, allegedly made personal use of the misappropriated amount, the police said.The police arrested the two on charges under Sections 316(4), 318, 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further inquiry is under way, the police said. Published - July 06, 2026 08:37 pm IST