Keonjhar, Jan 2: Odisha's Vigilance department arrested Jitendra Kumar Jena, the Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Bancho GP under Hatadihi Block in Keonjhar district for holding disproportionate assets (DA).

The arrest came after the Vigilance officials discovered that Jena had assets amounting to 139% of his known sources of income, which he failed to justify satisfactorily. Following his arrest, Jena was presented in the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, in Keonjhar.

A case was registered against Jena and his spouse under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) and Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, based on Balasore Vigilance Police Station Case No. 20, dated December 31, 2025.

During a search of his residence, the authorities uncovered numerous assets valued at several crores, both in Jena’s name and that of his family members.

These assets included:

· A three-story building (3300 Sq. ft.) located at Biranchipur, Hatadihi, Keonjhar, on plot No. 408/2390/6388.

· A newly built two-story market complex (5000 Sq. ft.) at Jagannathpur Mouza, Basantia Bazar, Hatadihi, Keonjhar, worth over Rs 1.34 crore.

· Two rented godowns of “Maa Saraswati Sales” at Basantia Bazar, Hatadihi, Keonjhar, containing goods worth Rs 1.14 crore.

· An electronics shop named “Saraswati Sales” located in Bidyadharpur.

· Six plots, including three in Chandia, Biranchipur, Hatadihi, and three in Jagannathpur Mouza, Basantia Bazar, Keonjhar.

· 100 grams of gold jewelry.

· Bank and insurance deposits amounting to Rs 33.01 lakh.

· A Maruti Ertiga car and two two-wheelers valued at approximately Rs 11.32 lakh.

· Household articles worth around Rs 4 lakh.

The Vigilance department has initiated further investigations to trace any additional ill-gotten assets linked to the accused.