Vigilance Raids Unearth Massive Assets from Odisha Soil Conservation Official
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance Department has unearthed a large volume of assets allegedly amassed by Dayanidhi Bagh, Joint Director in the Office of the Director, Soil Conservation and Watershed Development Department, following simultaneous raids at multiple locations across the state.
Acting on allegations of disproportionate assets, Vigilance sleuths launched coordinated searches on eight properties in Bhubaneswar, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur districts. The raids led to the discovery of a number of high-value properties, land holdings, and financial deposits linked to Bagh and his family.
According to preliminary findings, Bagh owns a 3-BHK flat measuring 1450 sqft at Mahanadi Apartment, Gothapatana, Bhubaneswar, a building under construction (3000 sqft) at Padalguda near Majhiguda Chhaka in Nabarangpur town, and another residential building at Housing Board Colony, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar.
In addition, the Vigilance team found a shopping complex comprising five shops (1400 sqft) near Nabarangpur town. The raids also revealed ownership of two farmhouses: a 40-acre property at Bijraguda, Nabarangpur, with a drip irrigation facility and an investment estimated at Rs 1 crore, and another 6-acre farmhouse at Phatakote, valued at around Rs 34 lakh.
The search operations further uncovered 11 acres of land on the outskirts of Bhawanipatna town. Financial scrutiny revealed bank deposits amounting to Rs 55 lakh, with additional deposits and investments currently under verification. A benami four-wheeler (Maruti Brezza) has also been seized and is under investigation.
The Vigilance Technical Wing is currently engaged in the detailed measurement and valuation of all identified assets. Officials confirmed that the probe is ongoing, and more revelations are expected once the search operations conclude.
The case underscores the government’s continuing efforts to crack down on corruption and illicit asset accumulation by public servants.
