Odisha Vigilance Conducts Simultaneous Raids on Forest Officer in Jagatsinghpur

Jagatsinghpur: Odisha Vigilance on Saturday carried out simultaneous raids at four locations in Jagatsinghpur district following allegations of corruption against a forest official posted in the Rahama Forest Range.

The accused has been identified as Rajendra Kumar Samantray, Forest Range Officer (FRO) of Rahama range, who came under the Vigilance scanner on allegations of possessing disproportionate assets (DA).

According to initial reports, the searches are being conducted on the basis of warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack. A Vigilance team comprising two Additional Superintendents of Police (ASPs), five Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), eight Inspectors, and other supporting officers and staff is leading the operation.

Officials said raids are underway at the following locations linked to the accused officer: a triple-storey residential building at Chatara in Jagatsinghpur, a double-storey house at his native village Samantarayapur under Dondo police limits, his office at the Forest Range, Sampur under Cuttack Forest Division, and the government quarters within the Jagatsinghpur Forest Range campus.

Vigilance officials said verification of documents, assets, and other materials seized during the searches is in progress. A detailed assessment will be carried out after completion of the operation, following which appropriate legal action will be initiated as per law.