Bhubaneswar: In a significant development in the ongoing disproportionate assets (DA) case against Rajendra Kumar Samantray, Forest Range Officer (FRO) of Rahama Forest Range in Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha Vigilance has uncovered substantial assets during simultaneous searches at properties linked to him and his family members.
During the ongoing searches, Vigilance sleuths have recovered cash amounting to Rs 3.5 lakhs, approximately 200 grams of gold jewellery and three valuable plots from the properties linked to Samantray. Additionally, bank and postal deposits totalling Rs 67 lakhs have been detected in the names of the officer and his family members, while other investments are still being ascertained.
The raids also led to the seizure of one four-wheeler (Mahindra Bolero) and two two-wheelers.
Searches are continuing at four locations, including his residential buildings, office at Forest Range Sampur (under Cuttack Forest Division), and the government quarter in the Jagatsinghpur Forest Range campus.
Samantray, born on June 4, 1966, joined government service as a Forester on November 26, 1985, with an initial monthly salary of Rs 1,500. He was promoted to Deputy Ranger in 2021 and to Forest Range Officer in 2023, serving primarily in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts over nearly four decades.
The raids are being led by a team comprising two Additional SPs, five DSPs, eight Inspectors, and supporting staff, on the strength of search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack.
A further report is awaited as the investigation progresses.
