PRADEEP KUMAR SUBUDHI
Bhubaneswar, December 31: The Odisha Vigilance Directorate has showcased spectacular achievements in its battle against corruption throughout 2024. With an intensified focus on rooting out corrupt practices, the agency has successfully identified, investigated, and prosecuted numerous high-ranking government officials involved in illicit activities. The past year marked a record number of arrests, convictions, and recovery of ill-gotten wealth, solidifying Odisha Vigilance’s role as a key player in the state's anti-corruption efforts.
Key Achievements of Odisha Vigilance in 2024
In 2024, the Odisha Vigilance Directorate registered more than 200 criminal cases, leading to the arrest of 181 individuals, including a significant number of senior government officials. Among those arrested were 50 Class-I officers, including six chief engineers, two assistant commissioners of CT & GST, a jail superintendent, and several other high-ranking officials such as sub-collectors, tehsildars, and block development officers (BDOs). The arrested individuals included a range of professionals, from engineers and revenue officials to police officers and doctors.
A significant portion of the agency's efforts was dedicated to uncovering disproportionate assets (DA). A total of 60 DA cases were filed, revealing illicit assets worth over Rs 131 crore. Additionally, 96 trap cases resulted in the arrest of 115 people, including 99 government officials, who were caught accepting bribes totaling Rs 19.25 lakh.
Vigilance officials carried out searches across 483 locations in connection with these cases, resulting in the freezing of 792 bank accounts linked to corrupt officials. Furthermore, 194 buildings and projects were evaluated in 72 valuation cases, with an estimated worth of approximately Rs 27.03 crore.
Unprecedented Convictions and Property Seizures
The year 2024 saw an all-time high in case disposals, with 307 investigations concluded, achieving a 154% disposal rate. This led to 105 convictions, maintaining a solid 50% conviction rate, which rose to 80% in DA cases. As a result of these convictions, 25 government officials were dismissed from their posts.
In a breakthrough, Odisha Vigilance launched a series of high-profile raids across the state, uncovering vast illegal assets accumulated by senior officials. For instance, former Chief Engineer Tara Prasad Mishra was found to possess bank deposits of Rs 2.7 crore, gold ornaments weighing 1.5 kg, and multiple properties in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda. The raids revealed Mishra's extensive holdings, including luxurious apartments and land in prime locations, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Vigilance investigators traced over 350 immovable properties linked to high-ranking officials, including more than 250 valuable plots of land. These findings were part of a larger investigation that saw several senior engineers and administrative officials under scrutiny for illicit wealth amassed over the years.
A Targeted Approach to Uncover Corruption
In a significant raid in August, Vigilance officials uncovered 105 pieces of land linked to Pravash Kumar Pradhan, Chief Construction Engineer at the Anandpur Barrage division, and 42 plots belonging to Pradeep Kumar Rath, Additional Chief Engineer of the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation. Rath, who had started his career with a modest salary of Rs 2,000 per month, was found to have accumulated considerable wealth, including multiple plots in various districts.
Similarly, investigations into Sunil Kumar Raut, Chief Construction Engineer for the Lower Suktel Project, revealed two multi-storied buildings in Bhubaneswar, three flats in Puri and Mathura, and 34 parcels of land, including an eight-acre farmhouse in Dhenkanal.
In another noteworthy case, Rama Chandra Mishra, Joint Commissioner of Excise, was arrested for possessing 52 plots and six multi-storied buildings, in addition to other high-value assets. Pradeep Kumar Sahu, Block Development Officer of Athagarh, was found to have acquired several expensive properties in Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh.
Breaking the Chains of Corruption
In one of the most prominent cases, Pradeep Kumar Mohapatra, Assistant Civil Supply Officer (ACSO) in Kendrapara, was arrested for possessing disproportionate assets. The raid on his properties uncovered two buildings, two costly plots, gold weighing 850 grams, and Rs 2.86 crore in deposits, along with Rs 1.21 lakh in cash.
Similarly, Binay Bhusan Tripathy, Assistant Commissioner of CT & GST Enforcement Unit, Jajpur, faced massive searches at five locations. Tripathy was allegedly involved in siphoning off Rs 5.85 lakh through illegal bribes from transporters and suppliers. Investigators found that during his tenure, he had intercepted scrap material worth over Rs 8.89 lakh, and misappropriated the balance amount by demanding bribes.
A Firm Stand Against Corruption
The relentless crackdown on corrupt officials under the leadership of the BJP Government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has sent a strong message: Odisha Vigilance is committed to recovering public funds and holding officials accountable. The year 2024 has witnessed a significant push towards transparency and accountability, with the agency dismantling corrupt networks within the state bureaucracy.
As Odisha Vigilance continues its crackdown into 2025, the public can expect further efforts to clean up the government and ensure that taxpayer money is not diverted into the pockets of unscrupulous officials. With a robust track record in 2024, Odisha Vigilance is poised to further strengthen its anti-corruption initiatives in the coming years.
