In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Odisha Vigilance Department has detained a senior forest department employee just months before his retirement, uncovering assets worth crores that starkly contradict his official income.
From Humble Beginnings to Lavish Holdings
Niranjan Satapathy, a 59-year-old forester currently posted in Koraput, was taken into custody on Friday following extensive searches at his properties. His career, which began in 1988 with a modest monthly salary of Rs 625, now sees him earning approximately Rs 70,000. However, vigilance officers allege he has amassed wealth far beyond these legitimate earnings.
The scale of the alleged disproportionate assets is staggering. Preliminary findings list around 1 kilogram of gold jewellery and significant real estate holdings. These include two three-storey residential buildings in Bhubaneswar's upscale Jharpada locality, another house in Semiliguda (Koraput), and seven high-value plots spread across various districts.
Cash, Crypto, and Foreign Currencies Seized
The search operations yielded substantial liquid and invested wealth. Officials seized about Rs 9 lakh in cash and uncovered deposits and insurance investments totalling Rs 67 lakh. In a modern twist, the investigation also found Rs 1.6 lakh invested in bitcoins. Adding an international dimension, foreign currencies from the United States, Vietnam, and Thailand were recovered, with their source and value under active investigation.
What particularly astonished the investigating team was the sheer opulence inside Satapathy's properties. His Jharpada residence was furnished with expensive wooden furniture, sculptures, and rare stone and wooden artefacts, painting a picture of a lifestyle completely detached from his government salary. A senior vigilance officer stated, "We are trying to ascertain the value of these household articles. His previous postings and works executed are being examined to identify the potential sources where he could have amassed huge assets through corruption."
Parallel Case and Intensifying Probe
In a related operation, the vigilance wing also uncovered illegal assets belonging to Nihar Ranjan Sarkar, a junior engineer in Malkangiri block. Sarkar was found to own a palatial triple-storey building spanning 8,000 sq ft in Malkangiri town, eight plots in the same area, and Rs 2 lakh in cash. Officers confirmed that the investigation into his assets is ongoing.
Back in the main case, the probe into Satapathy's wealth is expected to intensify. He is likely to face formal arrest and charges under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act for possessing disproportionate assets. The vigilance department is meticulously examining his career trajectory and postings to map the alleged corruption channels. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities in Odisha to tackle graft among public servants, especially those on the verge of retirement.
