Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance arrested Prasanna Kumar Patra, Deputy Director of Soil Conservation-cum-Project Director, Watershed, Sundaragada, for allegedly amassing massive assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The senior official will be produced before the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundaragada.
The arrest comes after extensive simultaneous searches conducted across multiple locations linked to Patra. Anti-corruption sleuths unearthed a lavish portfolio of assets that the official failed to account for or explain satisfactorily during interrogation.
During the raids, Vigilance officials uncovered an array of high-value movable and immovable properties registered in his and his family’s names, including four multi-storeyed buildings and a luxury flat in prime areas of Bhubaneswar.
Vigilance officials also unearthed seven high-value real estate plots in strategic locations, Rs 1.46 crore in various bank deposits and investments, 212 grams of gold ornaments, Rs 1.29 lakhs in hard cash.
When questioned about the source of funding for these extensive acquisitions, Patra was unable to provide a legitimate explanation or valid financial justification to the investigating authorities.
Following the findings, a criminal case has been registered at the Rourkela Vigilance Police Station under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. Further investigation is underway.