Odisha Vigilance arrests ACF for disproportionate assets

Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: The Odisha Vigilance on Saturday arrested Rebati Raman Joshi, the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) for the Hirakud Wildlife Division in Sambalpur, on charges of amassing assets that exceed his known income sources.

This arrest followed an extensive investigation, which revealed substantial assets linked to Joshi, including three buildings—one of which is a three-story structure in Sambalpur valued at Rs 1.80 crore. Authorities also discovered four flats (one in Bhubaneswar and three in Sambalpur), seven plots of land, and cash amounting to Rs 14.71 lakh during the raids.

According to a Vigilance report, Joshi was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the origins of these assets. As of Friday evening, investigators had identified various properties, including a three-story building in Ainthapali, a commercial property in Malipali, and a flat in Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar, along with several other residential units and prime plots in Sambalpur and Bargarh.

Additionally, officials confiscated Rs 14.5 lakh in cash, gold jewelry weighing 150 grams, silver ornaments totaling 300 grams, and bank and insurance deposits amounting to Rs 31,31,849, along with a two-wheeler and household items valued at Rs 9.13 lakh.