Vigilance officials on Friday unearthed extensive movable and immovable assets allegedly disproportionate to known sources of income during simultaneous raids conducted at multiple locations linked to Semiliguda forester Niranjan Satapathy in Odisha. The searches, carried out across Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur and Koraput districts, were continuing at the time of reporting.

The coordinated operation was led by six Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and seven inspectors, who conducted searches at five premises associated with the forester and his family members in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

High-Value Properties And Assets Detected

According to Vigilance sources, large-scale properties and valuables were detected during the searches. Two multi-storeyed buildings were identified in Bhubaneswar’s Jharpada area, while several plots and other assets were traced to different districts.

During house searches conducted so far, the following assets have been unearthed in the name of Satapathy and his family members:

• One triple-storeyed building measuring approximately 4,050 square feet located on Plot No. 408/2390/6388 at Jharpada, Bhubaneswar
• Another triple-storeyed building measuring approximately 4,050 square feet located on Plot No. 408/2390/6274 at Jharpada, Bhubaneswar
• One building with an area of around 1,250 square feet at Semiliguda
• Seven high-value land plots, including two in prime locations in Bhubaneswar, four in Jagatsinghpur town and one in Semiliguda, Koraput
• Gold ornaments weighing approximately 1 kilogram
• Cash amounting to around Rs 8.70 lakh, along with some foreign currency
• Bank and postal deposits and other investments, which are still being ascertained
• One four-wheeler (Tata Harrier) and three two-wheelers
• Officials stated that the measurement and valuation of the buildings and plots are being carried out by the Vigilance Technical Wing.

Seizures At Bhubaneswar Residence

At the Bhubaneswar residence, Vigilance teams reportedly recovered gold ornaments, including necklaces, chains and rings, along with expensive wristwatches and foreign currency. Bundles of Rs 500 notes were found concealed beneath the seating area of a prayer room, while additional gold jewellery was recovered from a concealed chamber reportedly created within the prayer room.

Luxurious interior fittings, costly chandeliers and several large branded garment cover bags were also found, indicating possession of high-value lifestyle items. Sources said officials took more than six hours to assess and document the items seized, which also included latest-model smartphones, bank passbooks and multiple ATM cards.

Income Details And Ongoing Probe

Sources indicated that Satapathy’s verified monthly income from his government service is around Rs 70,000. He joined government service on January 25, 1988, as a forest guard under the Koraput Forest Division, with an initial monthly salary of Rs 625.

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Searches were also underway at his ancestral house in Jagatsinghpur district and at his government quarters and office in Semiliguda. Satapathy was earlier posted in Balada and is currently working in the Semiliguda range. 

No comments could be obtained from Satapathy or his family members at the time of reporting.