Bhubaneswar, July 29: In a major anti-corruption operation, Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday launched simultaneous raids at 10 locations associated with Raja Kishore Jena, Assistant Engineer (AE) of Roads & Buildings Division-III, Bhubaneswar, following allegations of possessing disproportionate assets (DA) beyond his known sources of income, officials said.

"On the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income, simultaneous house searches were conducted on the properties of Raja Kishore Jena, Assistant Engineer in the Roads and Buildings division-III, in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday at 10 places in Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh," a Vigilance official said.

The locations where the raids are being conducted include Jena's paternal house located at Jagannathprasad in Nayagarh district, his office chamber and his in-law's house, shops and other properties owned by the Assistant Engineer in Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh.

As per official sources, 10 teams of Odisha Vigilance comprising seven Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), five Inspectors, one Sub-Inspector (SI), 11 Assistant SIs, and other supporting staff conducted the search on the strength of search warrants issued by the Vigilance Court of Special Judge in Bhubaneswar.

The anti-corruption officials have reportedly unearthed properties worth several crores possessed by Jena and his family members.

The Vigilance officials found Jena in possession of a multi-storeyed building at Niladri Vihar and two flats in Bhubaneswar worth several crores of rupees.

Jena reportedly owned two shops at Utkal Kanika Galleria Mall and Symphony Mall in Bhubaneswar, 13 high value plots, including nine in Bhubaneswar, three in Nayagarh and one in Khordha districts.

He has allegedly invested Rs 75 lakh in Bank, postal and insurance deposits and spent Rs 67 lakh on the education of his two children at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences. Bank deposits, bonds, and other financial investments are currently being verified.

The Vigilance officials also unearthed cash and household articles worth more than Rs 30 lakh.

Notably, Jena had joined in government services as Junior Engineer on October 3, 2007, with a consolidated salary of Rs 5,000.

Read More Odisha News

Argus English | argus english | Odisha Latest News, Breaking News, Trending News, Live TV