Bhubaneswar, 25 July (H.S.): In a major crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance on Friday conducted simultaneous raids at six locations linked to Rama Chandra Nepak, Deputy Ranger-cum-Incharge Ranger of the Jeypore Forest Range in Koraput district, over allegations of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The raids, carried out based on search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Jeypore, involved a team of six DSsP, five Inspectors, nine ASIs, and other supporting staff.

Searches were conducted at multiple premises, including Flat Nos. 510 and 511 at Golden Height Residential Apartment in PR Petta, Jeypore Town; a flat belonging to his brother located at UMS Bhagabati Mansion in Raghunathpur Jali, Bhubaneswar; his in-laws' residence at Sombar Tota in Jeypore Town; and his office chamber at the Jeypore Forest Range.

During the course of the operation, officials discovered approximately ₹1.4 crore in unaccounted cash concealed inside a secret chamber at Flat No. 510. With further recoveries, the total amount of cash seized has reached ₹1.44 crore. Vigilance officials deployed currency counting machines to process the seized cash, with the counting still underway.

In addition to the cash haul, four gold biscuits and sixteen gold coins each weighing 10 grams were also recovered. The exact weight and value of the gold are currently being assessed. Odisha Vigilance has termed the operation a significant breakthrough in its ongoing anti-corruption efforts, and further details will be provided upon the conclusion of the investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda