Bhubaneswar: The Vigilance Department in Odisha today launched simultaneous searches at seven locations linked to Keonjhar DFO (Kendu Leaf Division) Nityananda Nayak over allegations of possession of disproportionate assets (DA).

The searches are being conducted by three DSPs, 10 inspectors and other officials of the Vigilance Department in Keonjhar, Angul and Nayagarh districts on the basis of warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Judge in Keonjhar.

According to the Vigilance Department, the raids are being conducted at a four-storey building of Nayak at Angul, his paternal house at Madanmohan Patna in Angul district, in-laws’ house at Jagannathpur in Angul, DFO office and official residence in Keonjhar, and son’s residential house and office chamber at Komanda in Nayagarh.

The searches have found that Nayak and his family owned as many as 115 plots in Chhendipada area of Angul district.

Altogether 53 plots have been registered in the name of Nayak, 42 in the name of his wife, 16 in the names of his two sons and four plots in the name of his daughter.

Nayak has purchased the landed properties after joining the government service as a Forest Range Officer in 1992. He had purchased two plots during his tenure as Forest Ranger under different Forest Divisions in Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal and Sonepur districts between 1992 and 2006.

Nayak had purchased the highest number of 64 plots during his tenure as Forest Ranger under Khariar Forest Division in Nuapada from 2007 to 1015.

According to the Vigilance Department, Nayak had purchased 39 plots during his tenure as Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) under Khariar and Rayagada Forest Divisions from 2015 to 2022.

He bought eight plots while working as the Deputy Conservator of Forest at the office of PCCF (Wildlife) in Bhubaneswar between 2022 and 2024. Nayak purchased two plots after assuming the charge of DFO (Kendu Leaf Division) in Keonjhar in 2024, said the Vigilance Department.

Nayak also owned a four-storey building with around 9,000 square feet area at Turanga in Angul. The measurement and valuation of these plots and building are being carried by the Technical Wing of the Vigilance Department.

The Vigilance sleuths have found Rs 1.19 lakh in cash, two four-wheelers and four two-wheelers from the possession of Nayak.

“The searches are still underway. Bank deposits and investments made by Nayak and his family members are being ascertained,” said the Vigilance Department in a statement.