Odisha Vigilance has arrested Sri Dayanidhi Bagh, Joint Director of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development, for amassing disproportionate assets (DA) worth crores.
The arrest follows extensive raids across multiple districts, revealing a staggering portfolio of unaccounted wealth.
Acting on search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna, officials raided eight locations linked to Bagh in Bhubaneswar, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. The findings include:
- 84 acres of land, including a Rs 1 crore farmhouse in Bijaraguda and another 6-acre estate in Phatakote
- A 3-BHK flat in Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar
- A bungalow in Chandrasekharpur Housing Board Colony
- An under-construction 3,000 sq ft house and a shopping complex with five shops in Nabarangpur
- Gold ornaments weighing 312 grams
- Bank deposits exceeding ₹58.41 lakh
- A benami Brezza car and household articles worth ₹9 lakh
This is reportedly the largest land seizure by a government official in Odisha Vigilance history.
Bagh, who previously served as Project Director in Rayagada, had been under scrutiny following a ₹20 lakh embezzlement case involving MGNREGS funds. A case has been registered under Koraput Vigilance PS Case No. 24/2025. Further legal proceedings are underway as asset valuation continues.
