Odisha: Former Principal of College arrested in disproportionate assets case

Bhubaneswar: A day after unearthing properties worth more than Rs 5 crore of former Principal of Hira Nila College, Ramesh Chandra Sahoo, the State Vigilance today arrested him on charges of amassing disproportionate assets.

Sahoo was forwarded to the court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna following his arrest.

A case Koraput Vigilance P.S. case No.5 dt.08.03.2022 has been registered against Ramesh Chandra Sahoo and his spouse under section 13(2) r/w 13 (1)(b)/12 PC Act-1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act-2018.

Yesterday, the Vigilance conducted searches on properties of the former Principal of Hira Nila College, in Biswanathpur of Kalahandi district and found him in possession of assets worth over Rs 5 crore. During questioning he could not provide satisfactory account of the properties.

A total of 26 plots in prime localities of Khordha and Cuttack in Sahoo’s name and one plot in Kalahandi in the name of his wife were unearthed. Also, Rs 1,94,000 cash was recovered from Sahoo’s Bhubaneswar residence.

The registered sale deed value of the plots has been found to be more than Rs 1.77 crore. However, the actual value is likely to be much more, the State Vigilance said a statement.

His other assets included three Crusher Units, two JCBs, four trucks and tippers, two SUVs, four two-wheelers, three plots and two single-storied houses, etc.