Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Saturday unearthed huge assets worth crores of rupees during simultaneous raids at four locations linked to Rajendra Kumar Samantray, Forest Range Officer of Rahama Forest Range in Jagatsinghpur district.

Vigilance sources said a palatial building, three plots, Rs 3.5 lakh in cash and over 200 grams of gold were among the valuables unearthed during the raids being conducted on places linked to Samantaray on charges of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

During house searches so far, the following assets have been unearthed in the name of Samantray and his family members;

1. A palatial triple storey building with area of over 5500 sq ft located at Chatara, Jagatsinghpur.

2. A double storey building with area 2500 sq ft at native village, Samantarayapur, PO-Dondo, Dist-Jagatsinghpur.

3. Three valuable plots including two plots in Jagatsinghpur Town and one on the outskirts of Cuttack city.

The measurement and valuation/assessment of the above buildings/plots are being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing.

4. Cash of Rs.3.5 Lakhs.

5. Bank and Postal deposits Rs.67 lakhs and other investments are being ascertained.

6. Gold jewellery approx 200 gms.

7. A four-wheeler (Bolero) & 2 two-wheelers.

Service details of Samantaray:

Samantaray joined government service as Forester on November 26, 1985 with salary Rs 1500/- per month. Then, on promotion on September 15, 2021 as Deputy Ranger, he joined under Forest Division (Territorial) Angul. Again, on August 31, 2023, he was promoted to the rank of Ranger, and he joined in Rahama Forest Range, Jagatsinghpur. He has been continuing as such till date in Jagatsinghpur. Sri Samantaray has served about 4 decades in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts.

Official sources said the searches are being conducted by a team led by two additional ASPs, 5 DSPs, 8 Inspectors, and other supporting officers, with search warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Judge in Cuttack.

Searches are underway at his following places in Jagatsinghpur district. 👇

(1) Residential triple storeyed building located at Chatara, Jagatsinghpur.

(2) Double storeyed building at native village, Samantarayapur, PO-Dondo, Dist-Jagatsinghpur.

(3) Office located at Forest Range,Sampur,Jagatsinghpur under Cuttack Forest Division.

(4) Govt. quarter located in the campus of Jagatsinghpur Forest Range.

The search operations are in progress and further details are awaited.