‘Corrupt’ OPHWC Deputy Manager Pratap Samal given compulsory retirement

Bhubaneswar: Taking stringent action against Odisha Police Housing & Welfare Corporation (OPHWC) Deputy Manager Pratap Kumar Samal, the State Government today ordered the compulsory retirement of the corrupt official.

Former OPHWC Deputy Manager Pratap Kumar Samal was given compulsory retirement over graft and dereliction of duty, a release stated today.

Earlier, Samal was placed under suspension following his arrest by Vigilance for allegedly possessing properties disproportionate to his known source of income.

Also Read: OPHWC official Pratap Samal, arrested by Odisha Vigilance in DA case, suspended

With this, total 131 corrupt officials have been given compulsory retirement in Odisha so far.

During a Vigilance raid at his residences on November 9, Samal and his wife Sasmita were found in possession of assets worth Rs.14,88,91,194/- (Rupees Fourteen Crore Eighty-eight Lakh Ninety-one Thousand One Hundred Ninety-four) which constituted 1022% of his known sources of income.

Also Read: OPHWC official Pratap Samal, wife possess over Rs 14 crore assets, arrested by Odisha Vigilance

The anti-graft agency officials unearthed as many as 25 immovable properties worth crores, including 22 plots and 3 buildings, possessed by Samal and his wife Sasmita. The properties include 17 plots and two buildings in Bhubaneswar and Khordha.

The couple was booked under section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b)/12 Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. During the course of investigation, Samal was arrested and forwarded to the Court of Special Judge Vigilance, Bhubaneswar on November 10. He was brought on remand on November 16 evening for a period of two days for further interrogation in the case.

On completion of his remand period, he will be produced before the court today evening, informed Odisha Vigilance in a release today.

Major recoveries during search and developments in investigation so far:

  • Cash of Rs.38,12,900/- recovered during house search.
  • One 5 storeyed building over Khata No.594, Plot No.991 at Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar with total built up area 20,350 Sqft. worth more than Rs 3.5 crores.
  • One 4 storeyed building worth about Rs 65 lakhs over Plot No. N/6-235, IRC Village, Bhubaneswar.
  • 1 double storeyed market complex worth about 44 lakhs at Betada, Balasore.
  • 17 Plots, 1 Flat and 1 building in Bhubaneswar and Khordha worth crores in the name of Sri Samal and his spouse.
  • 4 Plots and 1 (G+3) building worth about Rs 1.5 crores at Basudevpur, Bhadrak.
  • Registered sale deed value of 25 plots including registration and stamp duty is Rs 3,41,58,412.
  • Rs. 1,07,37,831.74 have been found to be invested by Samal in shares and debentures.
  • Bank and postal deposits worth about Rs 1.6 crores
  • Insurance policies deposits worth Rs 57,72,150/-
  • Examination of his bank accounts and bank accounts of his family members revealed suspicious deposits and transfers of more than 1.2 crores through cash deposit, RTGS and NEFT.
  • One Hyundai Creta car worth Rs 13,43,000/- recovered during search,
  • Pratap Kumar Samal had made an unregistered partnership deed between his wife Smt. Sasmita Samal and his sister Namita Das for production of at least two Odia movies in the name of Radha Krishna Productions.
  • More than Rs.50 Lakhs of ill-gotten money appears to have been invested in production of these two movies.

Recently, the State Government had ordered the compulsory retirement of eight employees including three OAS officers.

Also Read: ‘Corrupt’ Tahasildar among 8 Odisha Govt officials given compulsory retirement

 

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