Officials of the Vigilance Department raided the residence of an Odisha revenue official on Tuesday, recovering a large amount of cash and uncovering extensive assets. The raid, conducted in Barang in Cuttack district, has triggered widespread attention after investigators seized nearly Rs. 75 lakh in cash during searches at multiple locations linked to the official.
What has the Vigilance Department informed?
According to Vigilance sources, the accused official has been identified as Jitendrakumar Panda, a senior laboratory assistant in the Animal Husbandry Department in Cuttack. Investigators were reportedly stunned by the scale of his movable and immovable assets.
High-value assets unearthed
Vigilance officials have traced several luxury properties owned by Panda in Bhubaneswar, including a three-storey house in Gopaluni Nagar and another house in Baragada Colony. In addition, a two-storey residential building has been identified in the Sanapalla area of Khurda district. The officials have also found four plots of land in prime areas of Bhubaneswar.
Apart from immovable properties, the raid led to the recovery of Rs. 6.20 lakh in cash and around 100 grams of gold jewellery. Panda is also reported to have a bank locker at the State Bank of India in Bhubaneswar, which has not yet been opened. Authorities are verifying details of his other investments.
The search operation is still underway, and officials said the total value of the seized movable and immovable assets is yet to be assessed.
