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Tag: Odisha Vigilance

  • Odisha vigilance intensifies action against hostile witnesses

    Odisha vigilance intensifies action against hostile witnesses

    Bhubaneswar: Vigilance cases end in acquittal due to complainants and witnesses turning hostile during trial and giving false testimony to help corrupt Public/Govt. servants being prosecuted.

    In order to tackle the hostility of witnesses, aggressive actions have been initiated by Odisha Vigilance recently. As per the strategy, steps are being taken to initiate criminal action for perjury under the IPC against such complainants and witnesses turning hostile. Also, departmental action is being pursued against official Govt. witnesses turning hostile.

    So far, in the last two years, 45 perjury cases have been initiated by Odisha Vigilance against complainants/witnesses turning hostile during trial. Similarly, disciplinary authorities have been approached to initiate departmental action against official (government) witnesses for giving false testimony to help the corrupt accused government/public servants at the time of trial.

    One such official witness, Upendra Bhanja Naik, A/p-Asst. Engineer, RWSS Section, Bijepur, Bargarh was recently dismissed by the Govt. for tendering false evidence during trial.

    The case relates to Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No.22/2011, where Upendra Bhanja Naik while serving as JE, RWSS Section, Sohela, Bargarh had been requisitioned as an official witness to witness the detection of trap against accused Anand Saraf, the then Senior Clerk, O/o Executive Engineer, West Electrical Division, Bargarh.

    Although, Naik had witnessed the transaction of bribe, during trial, he resized from his earlier statements and deposed false evidence to help the accused leading to acquittal in the case.

    Hence, as per the recommendation of Odisha Vigilance, departmental proceeding was initiated against Naik by H & UD Dept, Govt. of Odisha and finally he was dismissed from service by the competent authority.

    The dismissal orders were received yesterday at the Vigilance Directorate. During detection of bribery cases, Odisha Vigilance carries out all proceedings in the presence of official (government) witnesses who are explained all aspects of the action taken.

    Accordingly, memoranda/reports are prepared and official witnesses certify the correctness of the action taken by being a signatory to the memoranda/reports. Thereafter, in addition to the recording of their statement u/s 161 CrPC, they are also put up before a Judicial Magistrate and their testimony is recorded u/s 164 CrPC by the Magistrate. Besides, during trial, Prosecution Liaison Officers (PLOs) and Vigilance Prosecutors (PPs) closely monitor the testimony of these witnesses.

    In spite of all such precautions taken by Odisha Vigilance, at times, some official witnesses, during trial, turn hostile and resile from their previous statements, thereby helping the accused corrupt public/government servants to get acquitted from the case. In such cases, strong criminal and departmental actions are being initiated against them.

    Odisha Government has set up 21 independent Vigilance Courts throughout the State to exclusively try corruption cases. Govt. has recently sanctioned posts of Prosecution Liaison Officers in all Vigilance Courts for closely monitoring trial of Vigilance cases.

    Also, a battery of Vigilance Prosecutors exclusively conduct the prosecution under the direct supervision of a District Judge rank Legal Advisor of Odisha Vigilance and the Director Vigilance.
    All acquitted Vigilance cases are being analysed threadbare and corrective actions initiated.

    Rewards for successful prosecution and responsibilities for willful lacunae in investigation/ prosecution are being fixed.

    Such strong actions have helped Odisha Vigilance in ensuring a high conviction rate in corruption cases. In 2022, the overall conviction rate in Vigilance cases was around 50% and the conviction rate in DA cases was a significantly higher 77%, ranking Odisha Vigilance among top performing States with regard to conviction in DA cases.

    Odisha Vigilance is committed to take strong legal and Departmental actions against witnesses turning hostile to help the accused in corruption cases.

  • Odisha vigilance seizes over 3 Cr cash, multiple properties, and lakhs of savings from OAS officer

    Odisha vigilance seizes over 3 Cr cash, multiple properties, and lakhs of savings from OAS officer

    Nabarangpur: The Sub-collector of Nabarangpur district is under Odisha vigilance scanner for allegation of acquiring disproportionate assets.

    In ongoing search at 9 locations of Prasanta Kumar Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, the following movable and immovable assets worth Crores have been unearthed so far:

    1) One double storeyed building measuring plinth area of total 1942 Sqft. Located at HIG-115, Kanan Vihar, Bhubaneswar

    2) 5 plots including 4 in prime area of Cuttack & Bhubaneswar and 1 benami plot at Umarkote, Dist-Nabarangpur, which is under verification.

    The measurement and valuation/assessment of the above building/plots is being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing.

    3) Total cash Rs.3,02,30,800/-was recovered from residence of Rout at Bhubaneswar and Nabarangpur.

    Further, Rout seems to have made regular cash deposits in a number of benami bank accounts. Details of one such account opened in the name of an acquaintance in IndusInd Bank, Bhubaneswar has been collected where in Rs.21 lakhs cash deposits are suspected to have been made by Rout from 2019 onwards.

    4) Bank & Insurance deposits over Rs.41 Lakhs.

    5) 2 four wheelers (Innova & Maruti Swift) & 1 two wheeler (Honda Activa) worth approx Rs.37 Lakhs, out of which cost of Innova car (benami) Rs.29,50,163/- which is under verification.

    6) Gold & silver jewelry and household articles worth over Rs.21.35 Lakhs.

    Besides, Rout has spent approx Rs.87 Lakhs on Medical education of his daughter and educational expenditure of his son, details of which have been unearthed during searches.

    Prasanta Kumar Rout entered into Govt. service as an OAS Officer on 01.07.1996. He worked as Tahasildar in Kendrapara, Jajpur, Balasore, Bargarh districts and BDO in Jajpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Sundargarh districts respectively. During his tenure as BDO, Bisra Block he was arrested on 06.11.2018 in a trap case for taking Rs. 1 lakh bribe. Then he was placed under suspension w.e.f-06.11.2018. On 18.01.2020, Sri Rout was posted as Addl. Sub-Collector, Nawarangpuur after his re-instatement and continuing there as such till date. Prasanta Kumar Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, Nabarangpur is being examined to ascertain the source of the assets. Further searches are continuing.

    Unearthing of more assets is likely and overall valuation is likely to increase. On the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income, simultaneous house searches were launched on the properties of Prasanta Kumar Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, Nawarangpur today i.e. 23.06.2023 at 9 places in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Nawarangpur i.e;
    1) Residential double storeyed building located at HIG-115, Kanan Vihar, Bhubaneswar.
    2) Residential house located at Nawarangpur.
    3) House at native village Bahudarada, PS/Dist-Bhadrak.
    4) Office chamber located at Nabarangpur.

    This apart, searches were conducted at 5 other locations of acquaintances of Sri Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, Nabarangpur. 9 teams of Odisha Vigilance comprising 2 Addl. SP, 7 DSPs, 8 Inspectors and other staff conducted the search on the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh.
    Enquiry is in progress.

  • Odisha vigilance arrests Bhadrak DSWO in DA case

    Odisha vigilance arrests Bhadrak DSWO in DA case

    Bhadrak: For the possession of disproportionate assets the Odisha vigilance has arrested the properties of DSWO of Bhadrak district. The DSWO had possession of disproportionate assets (DA) to the tune of 145% of her known
    sources of income, which she could not account for satisfactorily.

    In this connection, Balasore Vigilance PS Case No.16 dated 23.06.2023 has been registered against Jayanti Behera, Ex-District Social Welfare Officer and her both sons U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b)/12 P.C. Amendment Act, 2018.

    During house searches, the following movable and immovable assets worth Crores were unearthed in the name of Jayanti Behera, Ex-District Social Welfare Officer and her family members;

    1) One triple storeyed building of total area of 4007 Sqft. at Ganeswarpur, Balasore.

    2) Another triple storeyed building of total area of 5466 Sqft. at Firingipatna, Balasore.

    3) One double storeyed building of total area of 1140 Sqft. at Ganeswarpur, Balasore.

    4) One 3-BHK Flat at Utkal Royal Residency, Goutam Nagar, Bhubaneswar worth over Rs.51 Lakhs.

    5) Another 3-BHK Flat at Stalwart Palace at Old Town, Bhubaneswar.

    6) 8 plots in prime area of Balasore.

    7) Cash Rs.2.79 Lakhs.

    8) Bank, Postal & Insurance deposits over Rs.1.61 Crore.

    9) 1 four wheeler (Maruti Baleno-Altura) & 2 two wheelers (Suzuki GLX & Passion Plus).

    10) Silver ornaments 2.112 Kg.

    11) Gold jewellery & household articles worth over Rs.7.39 lakhs.

  • Odisha vigilance unearths over Rs 3cr from Nabarangpur additional sub-collector

    Odisha vigilance unearths over Rs 3cr from Nabarangpur additional sub-collector

    Nabarangpur: Odisha vigilance detected huge cash of more than Rs three crore during a raid on the properties of additional sub-collector on Friday.

    On the strength of search warrant issued by special judge, vigilance, Sundargarh, vigilance teams have been conducting simultaneous raids on the properties of Nabarangpur additional sub-collector Prasanta Kumar Rout at nine locations, said M. Radhakrishna, vigilance Superintendent of Police (SP).

    Till now, the vigilance officials recovered cash of Rs 2.25 crore from the Bhubaneswar residence of Rout while another Rs 77 lakh were recovered from his Nowrangpur residence, he said.

    Further search operation is going on and details will be shared in a later stage, the SP said.

    The raid is being conducted at his two-storey house in Kanan Vihar, Bhubaneswar; his residence and office in Nabarangpur and his ancestral home in Bhadrak.

    The vigilance team is also conducting raids at the house of his relatives and close relatives at five other locations, vigilance officials said.

  • odisha vigilance got 3 crore cash during raid on an officer

    odisha vigilance got 3 crore cash during raid on an officer

    Bhubaneswar (IANS) | Odisha Vigilance on Friday unearthed over Rs three crore in cash during raids at the properties of Additional Sub-Collector. Vigilance Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Radhakrishna said, Vigilance teams are simultaneously raiding nine locations of Nabarangpur Additional Deputy Collector Prashant Kumar Raut.

    So far, vigilance officials have recovered Rs 2.25 crore in cash from Raut’s Bhubaneswar residence, while Rs 77 lakh was recovered from his Naurangpur residence, he said.

    Further search operation is on and details will be shared later, the SP said.

    The raids are being conducted at his two-storey house at Kanan Vihar in Bhubaneswar, his residence and office at Nabarangpur and his ancestral house at Bhadrak.

    Vigilance officials said teams are also conducting raids at the house of his relatives and five other places.

    –IANS

  • Ex-Civil Supplies Officer Brajendra Nayak Arrested for possessing DA to the tune of 268%

    Ex-Civil Supplies Officer Brajendra Nayak Arrested for possessing DA to the tune of 268%

    Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance today arrested Ex-Civil Supplies Officer of Nayagarh Brajendra Kumar Nayak for possessing disproportionate assets (DA) to the tune of 268% of his known sources of income, which he could not account for satisfactorily.

    During house searches, the following movable and immovable assets worth Crores were unearthed in the name of Nayak and his family members:

    One triple storeyed building over Plot No.384/2328, Khata No.604/381 near Rajarani Colony, Bhubaneswar worth over Rs.1.45 Crore.
    Another triple storeyed building over Plot No.385/2329, Khata No.604/381 near Rajarani Colony, Bhubaneswar.
    One triple storeyed building at Lewis Road, Garage Chhak, Bhubaneswar.
    One double storeyed building at Sishupalagarh, Old Town, Bhubaneswar.
    One double storeyed building at Plot No.A/L-55, Bhimatangi Housing Board Colony, Aerodrome Area, Bhubaneswar.
    One market complex with 10 shops and area of 2000 Sqft. hall given on rent to Odisha Gramya Bank at Khelar Bazar, Nimapara,
    One Farm house over Plot No.202, Khata No.338/28 of area Ac 1.62 decimal and Plot No.214, Khata No.338/27 of area Ac 0.29
    decimal at Sunugoradi, Nimapara, Puri.
    7 Plots including 2 in prime area of Bhubaneswar and 5 in Nimapara were found.
    Bank and Insurance deposits worth approx Rs.1.5 Crore.
    1 four wheeler (Bolero) and 3 two wheelers worth Rs.7.8 Lakhs.
    After thorough search, inventory and further enquiry, the income, expenditure and assets of the Ex-Civil Supplies Officer were calculated and he was found in possession of disproportionate assets which were 268% in excess of his known sources of income.

    Further search of locker and details of other investments / assets are being ascertained. Final Disproportionate Assets (DA) value may increase further.

    In this connection, Bhubaneswar Vigilance PS Case No.15 dated 17.06.2023 has been registered against Brajendra Kumar Nayak, and his spouse U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b)/12 P.C. Amendment Act, 2018.

    Further investigation into the matter is underway.

  • Odisha Vigilance Unearths 5 Buildings, Market Complex, Farm House Of Suspended Civil Supplies Officer

    Odisha Vigilance Unearths 5 Buildings, Market Complex, Farm House Of Suspended Civil Supplies Officer

    Bhubaneswar: Sleuths of Odisha’s anti-corruption Vigilance wing carried out raids on the properties of suspended Nayagarh Civil Supplies Officer Brajendra Kumar Nayak on Friday on charges of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
    During the ongoing simultaneous searches, the Vigilance sleuths have so far unearthed five multi storeyed buildings in Bhubaneswar, one farm house, a market complex with 10 shops and a 2000 sq ft hall at Nimapara, Puri, Bank deposits Rs 60 lakhs, a four wheeler, along with other assets.
    Simultaneous raids are being conducted in at least five places linked to Nayak in Bhubaneswar and Puri, a Vigilance release said.
    The Vigilance team comprising two DSPs, six Inspectors and other staff are conducting the raids on the strength of search warrants issued by Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.
    The Vigilance officials are examining different documents during the operation. The raids are going on and further details will be available.
    During house searches so far, the following assets have been unearthed in the name of Nayak and his family members:
    1) One double storeyed residential building at Plot No. A/L-55, Bhimatangi Housing Board Colony, Aerodrome Area in Bhubaneswar.
    2) A triple storeyed building over Plot No.385/2329, Khata No.604/381 near Rajarani Colony, Bhubaneswar.
    3) Another triple storeyed building over Plot No.384/2328, Khata No.604/381 near Rajarani Colony, Bhubaneswar.
    4) One building each at Lewis road and Sishupalagarh, Bhubaneswar.
    5) One Farm house over Plot No.202, Khata No.338/28, Ac 1.62 decimal and Plot No.214, Khata No.338/27, area Ac 0.29 decimal at Sunugoradi, Nimapara, Puri.
    6) A market complex with 10 shops at Nimapara, Puri and a hall given on rent to Odisha Gramya Bank (2000 Sqft.).
    The measurement and valuation/assessment of the above buildings/farm house/ market complex is being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing.
    7) Bank deposits Rs.60 Lakhs.
    8) A four wheeler (Honda Amaze) & 2 two wheelers.
    The search operation is continuing.

  • Cuttack: Odisha vigilance arrests Asst. Engineer in DA case

    Cuttack: Odisha vigilance arrests Asst. Engineer in DA case

    Cuttack: The Odisha vigilance has arrested the assistant engineer of the Sadar block of Cuttack district for possession of disproportionate assets.

    The accused has been identified as Bikash Chandra Bhuyan, an assistant engineer at Sadar Block of the district.

    According to sources, simultaneous searches were conducted at his residence by Odisha Vigilance on the strength of search warrants issued by Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack. The searches were conducted by three teams of Odisha Vigilance comprising 3DSPs, 4 Inspectors, and other staff.

    During the search at his the following assets  were unearthed in the name of Sri Bhuyan and his family members;

    1) One double-storeyed well-furnished building over plot No.1116 of area 3200 sqft. at Soubhagya Nagar, Bhubaneswar.

    2) Seven plots in prime areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Details are under;

    1. i) A piece of land vide Plot No 1116/6209, Khatian No.813/2275 area Ac 0.04 decimal, mouza Bermunda (Soubhagya Nagar), Bhubaneswar.
    2. ii) A piece of land vide plot No.1126/6190, Khatian No.813/2252 area Ac 0.03 decimals, mouza unit-19, Bermunda, Bhubaneswar.

    iii) A piece of land vide Khatian No 230/852, Plot No.243/2520, area Ac 0.13 decimals, mouza Aiginia, Bhubaneswar.

    iv) A piece of land vide Plot No.1983/5767, Khatian No.985/899, Area Ac 0.02 decimals, mouza Pratapnagari, Cuttack.
    v) A piece of land vide Plot No 1983/5767, Khatian No.985/899, area Ac 0.008 decimals, mouza Pratapnagari.
    vi) A piece of land vide Khata No 48, area Ac 1.020 decimals, mouza Cuttack Sadar.
    vii) A piece of land vide Khata No 653/46, area Ac 1.040 decimals, mouza Saindha, Balisahi, Cuttack.

    The measurement and valuation/assessment of the above building/plots is being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing.

    3) Approx Rs.1 Crore spent on Engineering & Medical education of his son and daughter.

    4) Bank deposits Rs.12.62 Lakhs.

    5) Gold & Silver jewelry worth Rs.38 Lakhs.

    6) Investment in Cryptocurrency worth Rs.1.23 Lakh

    7) 1 four-wheeler (Duster) & 3 two-wheelers worth Rs.13.40 Lakhs.

  • Odisha Vigilance warns bribe takers and facilitators

    Odisha Vigilance warns bribe takers and facilitators

    Bhubaneswar: Two cases of bribe-taking through various online payment apps has come to the light in Odisha, the Odisha Vigilance has issued a warning.

    The Odisha Vigilance has come across one bribery case on PhonePe and another one where bribe was taken through an unnamed cheque. These cases had been detected yesterday.

    It is noteworthy that, in all the three cases private persons helping government servants by taking bribe money in their PhonePe/Bank accounts have also been arrested/ prosecuted.

    Going forward Odisha Vigilance is committed to take strong action against bribe takers and their facilitators.

    The Odisha vigilance has warned bribe takers and facilitators seeking bribes through digital modes that no one is safe when taking bribe through PhonePe.

    The Vigilance authorities have further clarified that they will follow the digital footprints and catch the culprit and the facilitators.

    This warning has been issued by Odisha Vigilance after a TPCODL official was arrested for taking bribe through PhonePe in Nayapalli of Bhubaneswar on May 29, 2023.

  • Tahasildar of Karanjia arrested on DA charges by Odisha Vigilance

    Tahasildar of Karanjia arrested on DA charges by Odisha Vigilance

    Mayurbhanj: Odisha Vigilance today has arrested Charles Nayak the Tahasildar of Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district for accumulation of disproportionate assets

    The Tahasildar has been arrested under Police Station Case No 5/2023 registered U/s-7/12 PC Amendment Act, 2018 as prima facie evidence has been well established against him.

    The said Tahasildar will be forwarded today to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance in Baripada of Mayurbhanj.

    A vigilance team has conducted simultaneous raids at his government quarters in Mayurbhanj’s Karanjia and ancestral home in Bhadrak district of Odisha May 29, 2023.

    Sources said that the vigilance conducted raids on the properties of Charles Nayak on the basis of allegation of demand and acceptance of bribe Rs.12,00,000/- (Rupees Twelve Lakhs) from a complainant.

    Charles reportedly demanded bribe from the complainant in order to release the compensation cheque of Rs 51,75,810, which the complainant recently received after wining in a land acquisition case. The complainant was awarded a compensation of Rs 51,75,810/- recently in lieu of acquisition of his land by the NHAI authorities. The Tahsildar demanded the bribe amount in the form of two blank cheques of Rs.10 lakhs and Rs.2 lakhs.

    Finding no alternative, the complainant handed over 2 blank cheques to the Tahasildar. After handing over and presentation of cheques in the bank for withdrawal of the bribe amount, the complainant reported the matter to Vigilance for legal action.

    In this connection, Vigilance Cell PS Case No.5/2023 has been registered. A search warrant was issued by the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Baripada. Four teams of Odisha Vigilance led by one Additional SP, 7 Dy SP, 3 Inspector and other staff are conducting searches in the office and premises of Tahasildar at the following places:

    1) Office room of Tahasildar-Karanjia.

    2) Official residence of Tahasildar Karanjia located at Karanjia.

    3) Residential house of Sri Charls Nayak located at near Dist Hospital, Bhadrak.

    4) Another place located at Chadei Bhol, Karanjia.