Odisha Vigilance arrests ITDA Project Administrator for disproportionate assets

Bhubaneswar, Jan 31: Odisha Vigilance today arrested Biswadarsi Sahoo, the Project Administrator of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Bonai, Sundargarh district, for allegedly accumulating assets beyond his known sources of income.

This action followed extensive raids conducted on Thursday at seven locations, where vigilance officials uncovered substantial evidence of financial misconduct. Among the findings were a multi-storey building and two flats in Bhubaneswar, including one flat for which an advance payment of Rs 1.50 crore had been made.

The investigation revealed a total of nine high-value plots—seven located in Bhubaneswar and two in Puri. Additionally, authorities seized gold jewelry weighing 150 grams, cash amounting to Rs 4.51 lakh, and deposits exceeding Rs 61 lakh, the origins of which Sahoo could not satisfactorily explain.

Noteworthy assets identified during the searches included a double-storey residential building over 3,600 square feet at Sriram Nagar, a flat on the third floor of Bhagwan Tower in Laxmisagar, and several vehicles, including one four-wheeler (a Tiago) and four two-wheelers. The vigilance team is continuing its investigation into Sahoo's financial activities.