Bhubaneswar, 1 July (H.S.) In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Odisha Vigilance Department on Tuesday arrested Dayanidhi Bagh, Joint Director of Soil Conservation & Watershed Development, for amassing disproportionate assets worth several crores of rupees.

The arrest comes after extensive raids conducted at multiple locations linked to Bagh, leading to the recovery of vast unaccounted assets including 84 acres of land, over ₹58 lakh in cash deposits, 312 grams of gold, and a luxury 3-BHK flat.

According to an official statement, the Vigilance team unearthed two residential buildings, two farmhouses spread across 48 acres in Nabarangpur, and an additional 36 acres of land registered in Bagh’s name and suspected benami holders. A benami Brezza car has also been seized during the operation.

Vigilance officials stated that Bagh failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the wealth accumulated, leading to the registration of a case under Koraput Vigilance PS Case No. 24/2025. He has since been arrested and will be produced before the Court of Special Judge (Vigilance) in Bhawanipatna.

The Vigilance Directorate has confirmed that further investigation is underway to trace additional hidden assets, benami properties, and financial irregularities. More revelations are likely as the probe progresses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda