Odisha Vigilance Discovers Crores in Assets During Raids
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Synopsis
On January 30, Odisha Vigilance uncovered properties worth crores during searches related to a senior ITDA official in Sundargarh. The investigations revealed discrepancies in asset ownership and ongoing scrutiny of financial sources.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Vigilance conducted extensive searches.
- Senior ITDA official Biswadarsi Sahoo under investigation.
- Assets include residential buildings and land in prime locations.
- Significant cash and valuables discovered.
- Ongoing scrutiny may reveal further assets.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 30 (NationPress) Odisha Vigilance on Thursday uncovered assets valued at crores during coordinated searches conducted at various locations associated with a senior official of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Sundargarh district.
The official, Biswadarsi Sahoo, OWS, serves as the Project Administrator for ITDA in Bonai, Sundargarh.
The vigilance teams executed house searches in seven locations across Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Jajpur, and Bonai based on allegations regarding the possession of assets that are disproportionate to Sahoo's known income sources.
Search locations included his official residence, office in Bonai, a relative's home in Jajpur Town, and more. A total of seven teams from Odisha Vigilance, which included one Additional Superintendent of Police, three Deputy SPs, ten Inspectors, and additional staff, conducted the searches under the authority of Search Warrants issued by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh.
According to vigilance sources, Sahoo is currently being investigated to determine the origin of the assets discovered in his possession.
Further investigations may uncover additional assets, and the overall estimated value is expected to rise. So far, officials have identified that Sahoo and his family members own a double-storey residential building in Sriram Nagar, two flats in various locations in Bhubaneswar, and nine valuable plots in prime areas of Puri and Bhubaneswar.
The technical unit of the Vigilance department is engaged in measuring and valuating these immovable assets. They have also discovered cash amounting to Rs.4.51 lakh, deposits totaling Rs 61,42,676 in bank accounts, multiple insurance policies, gold jewelry, and household items valued at Rs 21.14 lakhs.
It's noteworthy that the Odisha Vigilance department arrested 181 government officials on corruption charges in 2024. Additionally, the department filed 200 cases against 308 individuals for their involvement in various corrupt practices last year.
