Cuttack: The Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested Range Officer of Titilagarh Forest Range under Bolangir Forest Division for amassing disproportionate assets (DA) to the tune of 199% of his known sources of income.
Siba Prasad Naik, Forest Range Officer, Titilagarh Forest Range, Bolangir has been arrested and forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bolangir for possession of disproportionate assets, which he could not account for satisfactorily, the Vigilance said.
In this connection, Sambalpur Vigilance P.S. Case No.42 dated 09.12.2022 has been registered against Siba Prasad Naik, Forest Range Officer and his spouse U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b)/12 PC Act, 1988 as amended by PC (Amendment) Act, 2018.
On the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income by Siba Prasad Naik, Forest Range Officer, simultaneous house searches were conducted on 08.12.2022 at 4 places in Bolangir district by 4 teams of Odisha Vigilance led by 2 DSPs, 6 Inspectors, 1 Sub-Inspector, 3 ASIs and other staff on the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bolangir.
During house searches, the following movable and immovable assets were unearthed in the name of Siba Prasad Naik, Forest Range Officer and his family members;
- Double-storeyed building over plot No.1155 near Rajendra College, PS-Town, Dist-Bolangir worth over Rs.81.81 Lakhs.
- 2 plots in prime areas of Bolangir town. The Registered Sale Deed (RSD) value comes to Rs.18.95 Lakhs.
- Bank and Insurance premium deposits worth over Rs.46.68 Lakhs.
- Gold ornaments, Cash, a two wheeler and household articles etc. worth over Rs.15.77 Lakhs.
After a thorough search, inventory and further enquiry, the income, expenditure and assets of Siba Prasad Naik, Forest Range Officer, Titilagarh Forest Range under Bolangir Forest Division, Dist-Bolangir were calculated and he was found in possession of disproportionate assets which is 199% higher than his known sources of income. Investigation of the case is in progress, the Odisha Vigilance added.
