Bhubaneswar, 09 October (H.S.): Odisha Vigilance on Friday launched simultaneous searches at eight locations linked to Prasanna Kumar Patra, Deputy Director of Soil Conservation-cum-Project Director, Watershed, Sundargarh, on allegations that he possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

According to an official press release issued by Odisha Vigilance, the searches are being conducted by separate teams comprising one Additional Superintendent of Police, four Deputy Superintendents of Police, 13 Inspectors, five Assistant Sub-Inspectors and other supporting personnel.

The searches are being carried out on the strength of warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh.

The vigilance teams are conducting searches at residential properties, the officer's office and government quarters across Bhubaneswar, Sundargarh and Cuttack districts.

The eight locations under scrutiny include Flat No. 8 on the second floor of Shrabani Residency in Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar, and three double-storeyed residential buildings located at M-105, M-110 and M-115 in Phase II of Manchanath Villa, Bhubaneswar.

Another residential building belonging to Patra at Balianta in Bhubaneswar is also being searched.

The searches further cover his office chamber at the office of the Deputy Director of Soil Conservation-cum-Project Director, Watershed, in Sundargarh, as well as his government quarters located in Sundargarh town, opposite his office.

In addition, a residential house belonging to his in-laws at Charchika village under Banki police station in Cuttack district is among the locations being searched.

The searches were underway at the time of issuance of the press release. Odisha Vigilance stated that a further report would follow.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda