Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested Rabi Narayana Prusty, the Chief Engineer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OPSCB), Bhubaneswar. He was arrested on the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income.
The anti-corruption team earlier yesterday conducted simultaneous house searches on the properties of Prusty at 7 places in Bhubaneswar and Ganjam i.e;
1) Residential flat located at Kalvik King Palace, Patia, Bhubaneswar.
2) Flat at Gajapati palace, Jagmohan Nagar, Jagamara, Bhubaneswar.
3) Shop at Barabhuja market Complex, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar.
4) House of relative at Shreeram Vihar, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar.
5) Flat at Shreekhestra Bhakta Niwas, Puri.
6) House at native place at Nuapada, PS- Nuagaon, Dist.- Ganjam.
7) Office chamber of Prusty located in the O/o OSPCB, Bhubaneswar on 03.02.2022 by 7 teams of Odisha Vigilance led by 8 DSsP, 04 Inspectors, 05 ASIs and other staff on the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.
During searches so far, the following assets have been unearthed:
1) One flat at Patia, Bhubaneswar.
2) One flat at Shreekhestra Bhakta Niwas, Puri. The present market value of the flat is more than 1 Crore.
3) One flat at Grand Awas, Fulnakhara, the market value of which is more than 60 Lakh.
4) One Shop at Barabhuja Market Complex, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar.
5) Three plots in prime localities of Bhubaneswar and nearby areas, the market value of which is likely to be in Crores. Large scale undervaluation of these plots during registration is suspected. A thorough probe has been initiated in this regard.
6) Bank, Insurance & Bond deposits worth Rs.89.46 Lakhs.
7) Gold ornaments weighing 355 gms & silver ornaments weighing 692 gms.
8) One four-wheeler and 3 two wheelers.
Further, it is suspected that investments have been made by Prusty outside the State in real estate, including illegal properties, which are under verification. Moreover, Bank statements collected during searches are under scrutiny by the Chartered Accountant and Bank Consultant of Odisha Vigilance to look into suspected transactions made for acquisition of benami assets, if any. Valuations of unearthed assets worth Crores are being carried out.
As Rabi Narayana Prusty was found in possession of disproportionate assets, which he could not account for satisfactorily, Vigilance Cell Division P.S. Case No.01 dated 04.02.2022 has been registered against him U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of PC Act-1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act-2018.
Investigation of the case is in progress.
Ms Kalinga