Odisha Vigilance arrests Jagatsinghpur forest range officer in disproportionate assets case

Odisha Vigilance on Sunday arrested Rajendra Kumar Samantray, Forest Range Officer (FRO) of Rahama Forest Range in Jagatsinghpur district, in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case. He is scheduled to be produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack, later in the day.

The arrest followed simultaneous searches conducted by Vigilance officials at multiple properties linked to the officer. According to official sources, Samantray was found in possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, which he allegedly failed to explain satisfactorily.

During the searches, Vigilance teams reportedly detected a palatial multi-storeyed building, a double-storeyed residential house, five valuable plots, cash amounting to Rs 3.69 lakh, around 250 grams of gold, and bank deposits worth approximately Rs 80.68 lakh, among other assets.

Based on the findings, Cuttack Vigilance Police Station registered a case against Samantray under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Officials said the scale and nature of the assets raised serious questions about their lawful acquisition.

Vigilance authorities stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged disproportionate assets and to examine financial transactions linked to the accused officer.

Also Read: Multi-storey buildings, plots, 200gm gold & Rs 67L unearthed from Odisha Forest Ranger’s residence during Vigilance raid

No immediate reaction was available from Samantray or his family members at the time of filing this report.