Zero Tolerance to Graft: Vigilance Arrests Chilika DFO In Disproportionate Assets Case

Bhubaneswar: In major development as part of Odisha Government’s zero tolerance to graft cases, Chilika Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Alok Ranjan Hota has been arrested by the vigilance sleuths on charges of accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The vigilance sleuths were  raided various place including his triple-storied building at Chandrasekharpur Bhubaneswar, single-storied building at Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, double-storied building of his relative at Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, house at native village Chasikhanda, Jagatsinghpur, house of relative at Poumapur, Khordha and office room and temporary residence at Balugaon  simultaneously on Monday.

In course of search and inventory, Alok Ranjan Hota, DFO was found in possession of assets worth Rs.1,00,32,551/- (Rupees One Crore Thirty-two Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-one) including one triple-storied building, one single-storied building, one four wheeler, two numbers of two wheelers, deposits in different banks and post offices, investment in insurance policies, gold and silver ornaments, cash over 1 Lakh and household articles.

After search, inventory and further enquiry, the income, expenditure and assets of Hota was calculated.  He was found in possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income to the tune of Rs.77,47,551/- (Rupees Seventy-seven Lakhs Forty-seven Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-one).

Hota was found in possession of huge disproportionate assets which he could not account for satisfactorily.

He was forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar and subsequently court send him to judicial custody till 28th August.