Koraput, Jul 26: In a major crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance arrested Rama Chandra Nepak, Deputy Ranger of the Jeypore Forest Range in Koraput district, on charges of possessing disproportionate assets far beyond his known sources of income.
Nepak is scheduled to be produced before the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance in Jeypore.
According to an official release by the Vigilance Department, multiple raids were conducted at various properties linked to Nepak. During the searches, officials unearthed unaccounted wealth, including:
- Cash amounting to Rs 1.43 crore
- A multi-storey building
- Three flats in prime locations
- Two high-value land plots
- Bank and investment deposits totalling over Rs 1.33 crore
- 1.504 kg of gold and 4.637 kg of silver
- Two four-wheelers
When interrogated, Nepak failed to provide satisfactory explanations or documentation justifying the accumulation of these assets, which were deemed grossly disproportionate to his legal income. Following his inability to account for the wealth, Vigilance officials placed him under arrest.
A Vigilance official involved in the case stated, “Despite multiple opportunities, Nepak could not present any convincing evidence or source of income that could justify the extent of assets found during the raids. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will follow as per the findings.”
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the local administration, raising concerns over corruption within forest and revenue departments. Vigilance authorities have assured that stringent action will continue against public servants indulging in illicit accumulation of wealth.
The case marks yet another instance of Odisha Vigilance’s continued efforts to clamp down on corrupt practices in public offices.
