In a significant crackdown on corruption, officials from the Odisha Vigilance Department on Tuesday arrested a 55-year-old junior accountant working in Sundargarh district for allegedly amassing wealth far beyond his legitimate sources of income.
Massive Assets Uncovered in Raids
The accused, identified as Rabindra Kumar Barik, was taken into custody after extensive searches at five locations linked to him, which began on Monday. The raids revealed a shocking portfolio of properties and valuables. According to the vigilance department, Barik was found in possession of disproportionate assets (DA) including a multi-storey building, a market complex with a gym and a kalyan mandap (community hall) in Balasore town. The list of seized assets also includes another building in Baripada town, four valuable plots in and around Balasore, 175 grams of gold, and fixed deposits and other deposits worth a staggering Rs 43.81 lakh.
Barik, who has served as a junior accountant with the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) Ltd for nearly three decades, could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the sources of this substantial wealth. The scale of the operation was notable, involving five vigilance teams led by three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), six inspectors, and other supporting staff.
Long Career and Legal Proceedings
Barik's career with the OSCSC spanned several districts, including postings in Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Mayurbhanj. He had been serving as a junior accountant in the office of the district manager, OSCSC, in Sundargarh since July 24, 2024. Following his arrest, a formal case was registered against him under the stringent Prevention of Corruption Act.
He was subsequently produced before the court of the Special Judge (Vigilance) in Balasore for legal proceedings. The arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by the state's anti-corruption wing to investigate and prosecute public servants suspected of enriching themselves illegally.
A Message Against Corruption
This case highlights the vigilance department's active pursuit of cases involving disproportionate assets among government officials. The discovery of such a wide array of properties and liquid assets against a junior-level accountant's salary has raised serious questions. The investigation is likely to delve deeper into the methods used to accumulate these assets and whether any misconduct occurred during his postings across multiple districts.
The arrest sends a strong message about the consequences of corruption and the state's commitment to rooting out such malpractices from the administration. It remains a stark reminder of the legal and professional risks associated with the possession of unexplained wealth by public servants.
