Vigilance tightens grip: Odisha government officials found owning 100-plus plots

In a sweeping crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance has unearthed shocking irregularities involving illegal land acquisition by several senior government officials. The revelation comes as part of an ongoing investigation into disproportionate asset (DA) cases, exposing large-scale property hoarding, with some individuals amassing over 100 land plots.

Topping the list is Nityananda Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kendujhar Leaf Division, who was found in possession of 115 plots, raising serious concerns about abuse of power and accumulation of wealth far beyond known sources of income.

Close behind him is Pravas Kumar Pradhan, Chief Construction Engineer of Anandpur Barrage Project, Keonjhar, with 105 plots unearthed by the anti-corruption agency.

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The Vigilance Directorate also listed several other top-ranking engineers, forest officials, and municipal officers who have acquired properties in bulk. Notable among them:

1. Rama Chandra Mishra, Joint Commissioner of Excise, Bhubaneswar – 52 plots
2. Pradeep Kumar Rath, Addl. Chief Engineer, OBCC – 50 plots
3. Sunil Kumar Rout, Chief Construction Engineer, Bolangir – 34 plots
4. Kailash Chandra Sahu, Chief Engineer, Keonjhar – 28 plots
5. Rama Chandra Satapathy, AEE, Dhenkanal – 22 plots
6. Suresh Kumar Panigrahi, CSO, Subarnapur – 19 plots
7. Biswanath Patro, AEE, Jeypore Municipality – 18 plots
8. Padmanava Hota, Asst. Mining Officer, Keonjhar – 15 plots
9. Narayan Chandra Nayak, Sub-Collector, Dhenkanal – 14 plots
10. Dharanidhar Nayak, Dy. Director of Mines, Talcher – 11 plots
11. Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Joint Commissioner, STA – 11 plots
12. Suryamani Pattajoshi, Executive Officer, Jatni Municipality – 11 plots
13. N. Dillip Kumar Choudhury, AEE, Berhampur – 11 plots
14. Rebati Raman Joshi, ACF, Sambalpur – 10 plots
15. Subash Chandra Panda, DGM (Engg), Police Housing Corporation – 9 plots
16. Susanta Kumar Sethy, AE, Nuapada – 9 plots
17. Dileswar Majhi, AEE, Bolangir – 9 plots
18.  Bibhudananda Mishra, Forest Ranger, Dhenkanal – 8 plots
19. Tara Prasad Mishra, Former Chief Engineer (R&B) – 7 plots
20. Baikuntha Nath Sarangi, Chief Engineer, Plan Roads – 7 plots
21. Susil Kumar Panda, AEE, Ganjam – 6 plots

In a special case, Sri Dayanidhi Bag, former Executive of the Watershed Department in Rayagada, was found to have illegally acquired 84 acres of land.