Vigilance Conducts Simultaneous Raids At 9 Places In Connection To 6 Ex-Govt Officials In Odisha

The Vigilance department carried out simultaneous raids at several places related to six retired government officials in Odisha in connection with a land fraud case probe on Monday.

As per reports, simultaneous house searches were conducted at nine different places in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Bhadrak and Jagatsinghpur districts. Nine teams led by one Additional SP, 11 DSPs and 6 inspector rank officers carried out the raids at multiple locations in the four districts.

At least 5 persons including an Ex-Tehsildar and an Ex-Revenue Inspector have been arrested in connection with the matter.

According to sources, the raids were conducted on charges of criminal misconduct, misappropriation, forgery and alleged criminal conspiracy in illegally settling government land under the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act in favour of in-eligible beneficiaries under the Vasundhara scheme.

Moreover, a case under Sections 13(2), 13(1) (a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Sections 466/409/120-B of the Indian Penal Code was registered in connection with the matter. Investigation into the matter is underway.