Kendrapada, Jul 9: Odisha Vigilance on Thursday arrested Rabindra Kumar Nayak, Forest Ranger of Kendrapada Forest Range, for possession of disproportionate assets (DA) far exceeding his known sources of income. He will be produced before the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Cuttack later today, officials said.

The arrest follows extensive searches at multiple properties linked to Nayak. The Vigilance officials uncovered a palatial four-storeyed building measuring 7,038 sq ft, six high-value plots, 283 grams of gold, Rs2.14 lakh in cash, deposits worth Rs76 lakh, and a four-wheeler, among other assets. Officials stated that Nayak failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the accumulation of these assets.

The Vigilance registered Kataka Vigilance PS Case No.25/2026 under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018. Sources said the searches were part of a wider crackdown on corruption in the Forest Department, where allegations of irregularities in land and resource management have surfaced in recent months.

According to Vigilance officials, the arrest underscores the department’s commitment to tackling graft and ensuring accountability in public service. The disproportionate assets case against Nayak is expected to proceed with detailed scrutiny of his financial records, property transactions, and bank deposits.
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The Vigilance has intensified its drive against public servants accused of amassing wealth illegally, with several arrests and raids reported across Odisha in recent weeks. Nayak’s arrest adds to the growing list of officials facing legal action under the anti-corruption framework.

The case is likely to draw attention to the challenges of monitoring forest resources and the role of enforcement agencies in curbing misuse of authority. Vigilance sources said that further investigation may reveal additional assets linked to Nayak and his associates.