Odisha: Scam-tainted IAS officer untraceable, raids continue

Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer and former Managing Director of Odisha Rural Housing Development Corporation (ORHDC), Vinod Kumar, who was convicted by a vigilance court in a corruption case, has remained untraceable, police said today.

The Vigilance sleuths today conducted raids on his residence at VIP Colony in Nayapalli area in Odisha capital but they had to return empty handed as the bureaucrat was not available.

The bureaucrat, who is currently serving as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Higher Education Department, was also absent in the office today, the source added.

The scam-tainted IAS officer’s residence was also raided yesterday. Sources in the vigilance said the bureaucrat’s mobile number was also switched off for the last two days.

“A family member of the IAS officer said he had gone outside on some urgent works,” an official of the vigilance who was part of raid said.

“We will attach his (Vinod Kumar) properties if he fails to depose before us as early as possible,” said Vigilance DSP Nirmal Chandra Mohanty.

Similarly, the anti-corruption agency officials raided on the residence of Pradip Kuamr Rout (former accountant of ORHDC), who was also convicted in the scam. Rout was also not present during the riad.

Also Read: Vigilance raids tainted IAS officer’s residence in Odisha capital

Kumar, a 1989-batch officer, was placed under suspension when the corruption charges were slapped against him in 2001. Later, he was reinstated.

A Vigilance court on Tuesday convicted Kumar on charges of corruption and cheating during his tenure as Managing Director of ORHDC. The financial irregularities to the tune of around Rs 55 lakh had taken place in 2000-01 during his tenure.

The court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him and four others who were not present in the court during pronouncement of the judgment.