Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown, Odisha Vigilance on Sunday uncovered 115 plots of land and cash amounting to Rs 1.19 lakhs linked to Nityananda Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Kendu Leaf Division in Keonjhar district.
Nayak is under investigation for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
According to an official press release, Vigilance officials conducted simultaneous raids at seven locations associated with Nayak. The operations were overseen by three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 10 Inspectors, and other supporting personnel.
During searches carried out so far, the following assets were seized in the names of Nayak and his family members:
One four-storeyed building measuring approximately 9,000 sq. ft. located at Turanga, Angul.
A total of 115 plots of land:
- 53 plots registered in Nayak’s name
- 42 plots registered in the name of his spouse
- 16 plots registered in the names of his two sons
- 4 plots registered in the name of his daughter
The plots were reportedly acquired between 1992, when Nayak entered government service as a Range Officer and 2024. Over the years, he served in various capacities, including Forest Range Officer, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Deputy Conservator of Forest, and Divisional Forest Officer.
The Vigilance Technical Wing is currently conducting measurements and valuation of the seized properties.
Additionally, cash amounting to Rs 1.19 lakhs was seized. Investigations into bank deposits, other investments, and financial assets are ongoing. The raids also recovered two four-wheelers — a Maruti Suzuki Dzire and a Skoda Volkswagen Virtus — along with four two-wheelers.
Search operations are continuing and further details are awaited.
