Bhubaneswar: A forester with the Semiluguda Forest Range under Koraput Forest Division was arrested by the Odisha Vigilance team on charges of possessing disproportionate assets. Niranjan Satapathy will be produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar today.
A thorough search of Satapathy’s properties in Bhubaneswar and Koraput revealed unexplained assets, including 2 multi-storeyed buildings in Bhubaneswar and 1 in Koraput, 7 high-value plots, approximately 1 kg of gold, deposits worth Rs 66.42 lakhs, cash of Rs 9.28 lakhs, and a four-wheeler.
Satapathy, who joined the forest department in 1988 and was promoted to forester in 2014, failed to satisfactorily account for these assets. A case (No. 31/2025) has been registered against him at Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS, and investigation is underway.
