In a significant breakthrough in its drive against corruption, the Odisha Vigilance has arrested Bidyut Ranjan Bhol, Deputy Manager of the Sambalpur Division of the Odisha Police Housing & Welfare Corporation (OPHWC), for allegedly amassing assets worth several crores that are disproportionate to his known sources of income — reportedly exceeding 400% of his earnings.
Bhol was produced before the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur, on Wednesday and remanded to judicial custody till April 15, 2026. A case (Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No. 03 dated 01.04.2026) has been registered against him and his spouse under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(b)/12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
The crackdown began on March 31, 2026, when Vigilance officials intercepted Bhol near Sambalpur Railway Station and recovered around ₹5 lakh in suspected unaccounted cash. Acting on search warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Court, simultaneous raids were conducted at nine locations linked to Bhol and his family in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, and Bhanjanagar.
During the intensive searches, investigators unearthed a staggering array of assets:
– Two multi-storeyed buildings
– One flat in Bhubaneswar
– 29 plots of land in Jatni, Berhampur, and other areas
– Gold weighing 1.140 kg (including 6 gold coins and 2 gold biscuits) along with 751 grams of silver
– Cash amounting to ₹48,79,100
– Bank deposits and other financial assets worth ₹81,83,979
The total value of the unearthed assets runs into several crores. Bhol, who reportedly draws a monthly salary of around ₹70,000, could not satisfactorily explain the source of these properties and valuables during questioning.
Vigilance officials suspect that the disproportionate assets may be linked to undue favours extended to contractors involved in police housing projects. A detailed investigation into his financial transactions, official dealings, and those of his family members is underway.
The probe continues as authorities assess the exact market value of the immovable properties and trace the origins of the seized assets.
