Why Were Two Engineers Arrested in Odisha?
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Synopsis
In a significant crackdown on corruption, two engineers in Odisha have been arrested by the Vigilance Department. Raja Kishore Jena and Ashok Kumar Panda stand accused of possessing assets that drastically exceed their official income. Discover the details of the raids and the shocking revelations that have come to light.
Key Takeaways
- Two engineers arrested for disproportionate assets.
- Vigilance teams conducted extensive raids.
- Properties worth crores discovered.
- Joint property ownership between colleagues revealed.
- Significant cash and valuables seized.
Bhubaneswar, July 30 (NationPress) The Odisha Vigilance has apprehended Raja Kishore Jena, an Assistant Engineer (AE) from the R&B Division-III in Bhubaneswar, due to the discovery of assets that are 317% disproportionate to his known income sources.
On Tuesday, a coordinated effort involving at least 10 teams of the Odisha Vigilance, which included seven Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), five Inspectors, a Sub-Inspector (SI), 11 Assistant SIs, and additional support staff, conducted multiple house searches related to Jena based on search warrants from the Vigilance Court of the Special Judge in Bhubaneswar.
The anti-corruption officials uncovered properties valued at several crores owned by Jena and his family. Among the findings was a multi-storeyed structure situated in Niladri Vihar and two luxurious flats in Bhubaneswar, each valued in crores.
Furthermore, he reportedly possesses two commercial establishments located in Utkal Kanika Galleria Mall and Symphony Mall in Bhubaneswar, along with 13 high-value plots—nine in Bhubaneswar, three in Nayagarh, and one in Khordha districts.
Additionally, Jena has allegedly made investments totaling Rs 75 lakh in banks, postal services, and insurance deposits while expending Rs 67 lakh on his two children's education.
Vigilance officials also confiscated cash and household goods exceeding Rs 30 lakh in value.
In a surprising development, during the raids, it was revealed that Jena and his colleague Ashok Kumar Panda, another Assistant Engineer in the same division, had jointly acquired a flat in Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, in the names of their spouses.
On Tuesday, as a vigilance team approached Panda's residence for a search, he attempted to evade capture by hiding inside the flat with his family and locking it from the outside. When the officials began sealing the flat, Panda eventually emerged.
On Wednesday, a bag was discovered hanging outside Panda's window, which he admitted to tossing to avoid detection. The authorities retrieved Rs 1 lakh in cash, a 10gm silver coin, gold jewelry weighing approximately 60 gm, land documents, a high-end phone, and more.
Six teams from Odisha Vigilance conducted additional raids at various locations associated with Panda in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. They have so far identified Panda as the owner of two buildings, a 4-BHK flat, three commercial properties in Bhubaneswar, eight high-value plots (seven located in the capital), gold and silver ornaments, and insurance and bank deposits totaling Rs 38 lakhs.
Point of View
It's crucial to emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability among public officials. The arrests of these engineers underscore the vigilance required to combat corruption, ensuring that public resources are safeguarded for the benefit of society. The actions taken by the Odisha Vigilance serve as a reminder that integrity in public service is non-negotiable.
NationPress
31/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the arrest of the engineers?
The arrests were made due to the discovery of assets owned by Raja Kishore Jena that were found to be 317% greater than his known income sources.
What kind of properties were seized?
The properties seized included multi-storeyed buildings, luxury flats, commercial outlets, and numerous high-value plots in Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas.
Who is Ashok Kumar Panda?
Ashok Kumar Panda is another Assistant Engineer in the same division as Jena, who was also implicated in the case for jointly purchasing property.
How did the vigilance team conduct the raids?
The raids were conducted by multiple teams of the Odisha Vigilance, utilizing search warrants from the Vigilance Court to search various locations linked to the suspects.
What were the findings during the raids?
The raids uncovered substantial cash, valuable household items, and significant investments made by the engineers, totaling several crores.
