Odisha DFO Under Vigilance Scanner for 115 Plots, Massive Asset Haul

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance Department on Saturday launched extensive raids at seven locations linked to Keonjhar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kendu Leaf Division, Nityananda Nayak, over allegations of amassing disproportionate assets.

The raids are being carried out by a high-level Vigilance team comprising three DSPs, 10 Inspectors, and other officials across Keonjhar, Angul, and Nayagarh districts. The searches are being conducted based on warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Judge, Keonjhar.

According to officials, the raids targeted Nayak’s four-storey residence at Turanga in Angul, his paternal house at Madanmohan Patna, his in-laws’ house at Jagannathpur, his official residence and DFO office in Keonjhar, and his son’s residence and office chamber at Komanda in Nayagarh.

Preliminary findings revealed that Nayak and his family members collectively own 115 plots in the Chhendipada area of Angul district. Of these, 53 plots are in Nayak’s name, 42 in his wife’s, 16 in his sons’, and 4 in his daughter’s.

Investigations showed a consistent pattern of land accumulation since Nayak joined government service as a Forest Range Officer in 1992. Between 1992 and 2006, he purchased two plots while serving in various forest divisions including Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, and Sonepur.

However, the bulk of acquisitions occurred during his tenure in Khariar Forest Division from 2007 to 2015, when he bought 64 plots. Between 2015 and 2022, while serving as Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) in Khariar and Rayagada divisions, he purchased 39 more plots. As Deputy Conservator of Forest in the PCCF (Wildlife) office, Bhubaneswar (2022–2024), he bought 8 plots, followed by 2 more after becoming DFO of Kendu Leaf Division, Keonjhar, in 2024.

In addition to the land, Vigilance officials seized Rs 1.19 lakh in cash, two four-wheelers, and four two-wheelers from his premises. Nayak also owns a sprawling four-storey building of 9,000 sq. ft. in Turanga, Angul. Valuation and measurements of the properties are ongoing by the Technical Wing of the Vigilance.

“The searches are still in progress. Details regarding bank deposits and other investments made by Nayak and his family are being verified,” the Vigilance Department said in an official statement.

The case adds to a growing list of government officials under scrutiny for accumulating assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.