The Odisha Vigilance Department on Friday carried out simultaneous searches at multiple locations connected to a junior engineer (JE) in Malkangiri district following allegations of possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
The official under investigation has been identified as Nihar Ranjan Sarkar, currently posted as a Junior Engineer under the Malkangiri Block administration.
According to Vigilance officials, the raids were initiated based on credible inputs indicating that Sarkar may have accumulated properties and assets beyond his lawful earnings. Search warrants were issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Jeypore, following which coordinated operations were launched.
A total of four Vigilance teams, led by four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and assisted by seven Inspectors and supporting personnel, conducted searches at four locations across Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts.
The premises being searched include:
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A three-storey residential building at Jayanagar in Malkangiri town
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Sarkar’s paternal residence at MPV-10 under Kalimela police limits
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A relative’s house at Raighar in Nabarangpur district
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Sarkar’s office chamber at the Malkangiri Block Development Officer (BDO) office
Vigilance DSP Sadananda Pani stated that the assessment and valuation of documents and assets discovered during the searches would be made public after the completion of the ongoing investigation.
The Vigilance operation remains underway, and further details are awaited.
