Bhubaneswar: Simultaneous raids by Odisha Vigilance on Assistant Block Education Officer (ABEO) Jayadev Jena on Monday led to the detection of vast real estate holdings, including three multi-storey buildings and 19 plots across Bhubaneswar and Ganjam district.
The officer, currently posted at Dharmasala in Jajpur district, faces allegations of accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Recovered Assets
During initial searches across multiple properties, Vigilance officials unearthed the following assets held in the name of Jena and his family members:
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Triple-storey building: A 4,300 sqft. residence at Patrapada, Bhubaneswar.
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Double-storey building: A 3,850 sqft. property at P Nuagaon, Ganjam.
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Additional structure: A 7,100 sqft. building at P Nuagaon, Ganjam.
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Land parcels: 19 valuable plots situated in Bhubaneswar, as well as Khallikote and Kodala in Ganjam district.
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Vehicles: One Tata Nexon car and two two-wheelers.
Assessment and valuation of the properties are currently being conducted by the Vigilance Technical Wing. Officers are also carrying out the weighment of gold jewellery and evaluating bank deposits and financial investments.
Simultaneous Raids Across 7 Locations
Acting on search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Brahmapur, teams comprising three Additional SPs, four DSPs, nine Inspectors, and supporting staff launched operations across seven locations in Bhubaneswar, Ganjam, and Jajpur:
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A three-storey building at Patrapada, Bhubaneswar.
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A two-storey building and an adjacent structure at P. Nuagaon, Ganjam.
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A relative’s residence at Burujhari, Ganjam.
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Another relative’s house at Janani Vihar, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar.
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A rented residence at Jaraka, Jajpur.
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Jena’s official chamber at Jaraka, Jajpur.
Career Background
Jena joined government service under the rehabilitation scheme on August 25, 1987, as an Assistant Teacher under the DI of Schools at Chhatrapur, in Ganjam district, drawing an initial salary of Rs 1,000 per month.
His service history includes:
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March 2014: Promoted to Headmaster and posted at Kaniaribadi Project Upper Primary School, Chhatrapur.
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November 2020: Transferred as Headmaster to K Barida Nodal Upper Primary School, Ganjam.
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March 2023: Appointed as Assistant Block Education Officer (ABEO), Beguniapada Block, Ganjam.
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November 2024: Transferred to his current post as ABEO, Dharmasala Block, Jajpur.
Searches are currently underway, and further financial disclosures are expected as verification continues.