Odisha: Vigilance Sleuths Raid DFO, Uncovers 115 plots, Weapons, Unaccounted Cash
During the coordinated searches, officials seized documents related to 115 land plots spread across three districts, Rs 1.19 lakh in cash, a licensed firearm, bladed weapons, rare timber, and archery equipment from Nayak’s residence and other properties.
Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on alleged disproportionate assets, Odisha Vigilance on Sunday raided seven locations linked to Nityananda Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kendu Leaf Division, Keonjhar, uncovering extensive immovable property, weapons, and unaccounted cash.
During the coordinated searches, officials seized documents related to 115 land plots spread across three districts, Rs 1.19 lakh in cash, a licensed firearm, bladed weapons, rare timber, and archery equipment from Nayak’s residence and other properties.
The raids, conducted simultaneously in Angul, Keonjhar, and Nayagarh districts, targeted Nayak’s four-storey house in Jagannath Vihar (Angul), his ancestral home in Similipada, and properties in Madanmohan Patna and Jagannathpur near the Thermal area. Search warrants were issued by the Special Vigilance Judge, Keonjhar.
According to Vigilance sources, the 115 plots were found to be registered in the names of Nayak and his family members: 53 in his name, 42 in his wife's, 16 in the names of his two sons, and 4 in his daughter’s. Investigators suspect the properties were acquired through income sources not disclosed to authorities.
At Nayak’s Angul residence, officials also recovered a gun, a sword, bows and arrows, spears, precious timber slabs, and wood-cutting tools. The presence of these items, including weaponry and forest produce, is being treated as potentially illegal and subject to further scrutiny.
Vigilance officials said the current seizure is part of an ongoing investigation into Nayak’s alleged amassment of assets beyond his known sources of income. Nayak began his government career as a Range Officer in 1992 and currently serves as DFO of the Kendu Leaf Division, a crucial post in Odisha’s forest administration.
A Vigilance team comprising three Deputy Superintendents of Police, 10 Inspectors, and additional staff led the operation. Officials said asset verification and valuation are underway and more properties may come to light.
