Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance today carried out simultaneous searches at seven locations linked to Prasanna Samantaray, an OAS officer serving as Tahasildar of Kantapada in Cuttack district, in connection with allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The searches were conducted on the strength of warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Court in Cuttack. The operation was led by two Additional Superintendents of Police, eight Deputy Superintendents of Police, eleven Inspectors, five Assistant Sub-Inspectors and supporting staff.
The raids, according to an official release, were carried out at multiple locations across Cuttack, Bhubaneswar in Khordha district, Puri and Kendrapara. These included two multi-storey residential buildings in the Kesura area of Bhubaneswar, one of which is still under construction, the officer’s paternal house in Duchhia village in Puri district, the residences of relatives in Bhubaneswar and Kendrapara, his office chamber at Kantapada in Cuttack district, and his official government quarters.
During the searches, vigilance officials said they had so far detected two multi-storey buildings, seven high-value land plots in Bhubaneswar, cash amounting to Rs 2.15 lakh, one four-wheeler and three two-wheelers.
The two buildings identified during the operation include a completed three-storey structure with an approximate area of 4,065 square feet at Kesura in Bhubaneswar and another under-construction three-storey building with an area of around 6,750 square feet at the same location.
Investigators also traced seven land parcels located in different parts of Bhubaneswar, including Kesura, Koradakanta, Bankuala and Meherpalli.
Officials said the technical wing of the vigilance department is currently conducting measurements and valuation of the properties. Details regarding bank deposits, postal savings and other financial investments linked to the officer and his family members are also being examined.
According to vigilance officials, Samantaray entered government service on January 21, 2000 as a Local Fund Auditor with an initial salary of Rs 5,130. The investigation into the alleged disproportionate assets case is currently underway.
