Dhenkanal: Vigilance sleuths today arrested Bibhudananda Mishra, Forest Range Officer of Dhenkanal following an intense search of his properties on Thursday.
He will be forwarded to court today, vigilance said.
The arrest follows the discovery of disproportionate assets, including one high-value flat in Bhubaneswar, two flats in Hyderabad, eight plots in Bhubaneswar and Dhenkanal, and a farmhouse with civil construction worth approximately Rs 2 crore.
The anti-graft agency also unearthed deposits exceeding Rs 1 crore, cash worth Rs 5.15 lakh, gold weighing 557 grams, and two four-wheeler vehicles.
Mishra was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for these assets.
In connection with the allegations, Vigilance registered a case against Mishra.
Additionally, officers from the Forest Wing of Odisha Vigilance, along with local Forest staff from Dhenkanal Range, conducted a search at Mishra’s farmhouse in Rahangol, Athagarh in Cuttack. A case was registered against him for violating the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for keeping Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) without permission. Four peafowl were seized and handed over to the local Forest staff for custody.
