Odisha Vigilance detains Excise Superintendent with Rs 3 lakh 'ill-gotten' cash in Dhenkanal

The Vigilance sleuths have intercepted Krishna Nayak, the Superintendent of Excise, Dhenkanal, while he was carrying over Rs 3 lakh suspected ill-gotten cash. Acting on reliable information, a team of the anti-corruption agency kept a close watch on the movement and activities of Nayak.

Later, the Vigilance team intercepted her at Deulasahi Road, Dhenkanal, while she was proceeding in a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration No.OD-02-CZ-7044. During the interception, cash of Rs 3,00,000 was found in her possession, sources informed.

As Nayak could not satisfactorily account for the possession of such huge cash, the amount was recovered from her possession and seized along with the above vehicle.

Soon after the interception, simultaneous searches are being conducted at residential house of Nayak at Nimpur, Jagatpur, Cuttack, another house at Nirbani lane, PS-Kumbharpada, Puri, a house at her native village Pradhan sahi, Choudwar, Cuttack, a rented residential house at Dhenkanal, and her office room.

Simultaneous searches were carried out at 5 locations linked to Nayak. During searches, assets unearthed include the following;

1. One Triple storeyed building of area approx 4655 sqft at Jagatpur, Cuttack.

2. One Double storeyed building of area approx 1400 sqft at Kumbharpada, Puri.

3. 8 high value plots including 4 plots at Cuttack, 2 plots at Puri, and 2 plots at Jagatsinghpur.

4. 2 benami four wheelers (Swift Dezire, Santo GLS Hyundai), now under verification.

5. Bank deposits and other investments are being ascertained.

Nayak, Superintendent of Excise, Dhenkanal, has been detained for further interrogation. Further enquiry is in progress, reports said.

Meanwhile, Pratap Chandra Sadangi, former Revenue Inspector (RI), Kadua revenue circle under Jagannathprasad tehsil, in Ganjam district has been convicted in a bribery case.

Pratap was charge sheeted by Odisha Vigilance U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d)/7 Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for demanding and taking bribe from a complainant to release his seized vehicle transporting boulders, was convicted by Hon’ble Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 1 year and to pay fine.

Odisha Vigilance will now move the competent authority to stop pension of Pratap following his conviction.