Odisha court orders confiscation of assets of former DFO

Bhubaneswar: A Special Vigilance Court here today ordered for the confiscation of property of former DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) Abhaya Charan Khuntia in a disproportionate assets case while he was posted at Ghumusar South, Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district of Odisha.

The court ordered to confiscate assets to the tune of Rs 7,50,364 disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The properties to be confiscated include – a two storey building at Samantarapur, Balugaon in Khordha district, another two storey building at Nayapalli in Bhubaneswar and a land at CDA in Cuttack.

The court also ordered to confiscate the seized cash Rs 117 out of Rs 2310 detected during the raid.

The court has also directed opposite parties to surrender the aforesaid assets within 30 days of receipt of this order failing which the state government may proceed to recover the same in accordance with law.

Notably, the Vigilance sleuths had conducted search over the properties of Khuntia on July 17 in 1993 while he was working as DFO at Ghumusar South in Bhanjanagar.

On completion of investigation, charge sheet was submitted against the Khuntia under section 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Notably, assets to the tune of Rs 8, 21, 270,20p acquired by him in between November 6, 1963 to July 17, 1993 were found and accordingly confiscation was initiated.