Odisha forest officer lands in Vigilance net hours after promotion

A forest department officer in Odisha came under the scanner of the vigilance department for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets soon after he got a promotion.   

The forest ranger of Lamtaput in southern Koraput district, Surjit Sahu was caught by the vigilance with accounted cash hours after he was elevated to the post of assistant conservator of forests (ACF) on Monday.

According to sources, Sahoo was intercepted by the anti-corruption agency while he was on his way to Bhubaneswar from Koraput in his office vehicle bearing registration number OD-05-AM 1928.

The Vigilance sleuths recovered Rs 1.05 lakh in cash from Sahu's possession which was suspected to be ill-gotten. When Sahu could not account for the cash satisfactorily, the money was seized, sources informed.

Following the recovery of the cash, the Vigilance sleuths carried out simultaneous raids on the office and residential quarters of Sahu at Lamtaput.

Besides, raid was also conducted at Sahu’s residence in Bhubaneswar on suspicion of possession of disproportionate assets. Further investigation into the matter is on.

(Reported by Surya Panda, OTV)