Bhubaneswar, December 31: The Vigilance on Wednesday arrested Jitendra Kumar Jena, Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Bancho GP under Hatadihi Block of Keonjhar district for possession of disproportionate assets.

The arrest was made following searches on his properties by the anti-corruption wing officials on Tuesday. During search operations, he was found in possession of disproportionate assets including a triple-storeyed building, a double-storeyed market complex worth over Rs 1.34 crore, six plots, 100 gms gold, Rs 34.06 lakh deposits, a four-wheeler which he could not account for satisfactorily.

On Tuesday, Balasore division Vigilance sleuths conducted simultaneous searches on the properties linked to Jena in six places district on the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Keonjhar.

On the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income, simultaneous house searches were conducted on the properties of Jena by six teams of Odisha Vigilance comprising four DSPs, eight Inspectors, and other supporting staff.

Jena entered into Government services on August 12, 1995 as Secretary, Hadgarh GP under Hatadihi block in Keonjhar with a monthly consolidated salary of Rs 2,200. He was promoted to the rank of PEO in 2009 and posted at Samana GP, Hatadihi block. Between 2009 and July 2024, he worked as the PEO of Samana, Dhenka, and K. Belpal GPs under Hatadihi block. From July 2024, he has been continuing as PEO, Bancho GP on transfer and is working as such till date.

For last three decades Jena is working under Hatadihi block in Keonjhar district.