TV
In a sweeping disproportionate assets (DA) crackdown, Odisha Vigilance on Sunday raided seven locations linked to Nityananda Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kendu Leaf Division, Keonjhar.
The operation led to the uncovering of a massive trove of suspicious wealth, including 115 land plots, Rs 1.19 lakh in cash, a licensed gun, bladed weapons, rare timber, and archery equipment. The scale and nature of the seizures have left the Vigilance team stunned, sources said.
Arms, Timber, and Tools Found in Angul Mansion
During searches at Nayak’s lavish residence in Jagannath Vihar, Angul, Vigilance officials seized a firearm, a sword, a bow and arrow set, several spears, and precious timber slabs along with wood-cutting equipment.
Investigators suspect the materials may have been illegally sourced or used in connection with illicit forest operations. The presence of such items in a government officer’s home is being viewed as highly irregular and potentially unlawful.
The Angul residence, a four-storey building spanning 9,000 sq ft, is among the key properties under investigation. Alongside weapons and timber, Rs 1.19 lakh in unaccounted cash was recovered from the premises.
115 Plots in Family Names, Properties Spread Across Three Districts
In yet another revelation, officials uncovered 115 land plots, allegedly acquired through undisclosed sources of income. The breakdown includes:
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53 plots in Nayak’s name
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42 plots in his wife’s name
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16 plots in the names of his two sons
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4 plots registered under his daughter’s name
These properties span multiple locations, and authorities believe the actual asset count could rise as further verification continues.
Simultaneous Raids in 7 Locations Across 3 Districts
Acting on search warrants issued by the Special Judge (Vigilance), Keonjhar, Odisha, Vigilance mobilised a high-level team comprising three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 10 Inspectors, and additional personnel.
Simultaneous raids were conducted at seven premises across Angul, Keonjhar, and Nayagarh districts, including Nayak’s ancestral property in Similipada, his Angul residence, and houses in Madanmohan Patna and Jagannathpur near Thermal.
The operation is part of a larger investigation into Nayak’s alleged accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income. Nayak joined government service as a Range Officer in 1992 and rose through the ranks to become DFO of the critical Kendu Leaf Division.
