By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Additional Director of Mines Umesh Chandra Jena on Saturday arrested by Vigilance Department after completion of estimation of his DA which is 368 percent. Jena couldn’t not give satisfactory reply to the said assets following which he was arrested.‘
Umesh Chandra Jena, Additional Director at the Directorate of Mines in Bhubaneswar was on Saturday arrested by Odisha Vigilance during investigation and forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance for possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of 368% of known sources of income , which he could not account for satisfactorily. In this connection, Vigilance Cell PS case no-02 dated 4.3.2023 has been registered,” Vigilance said in a statement.
‘After thorough search at 13 places in Khurda and Keonjhar districts, and further enquiry, Jena was found possession of 4 Multi stoyered buildings inlcuding 3 at Keonjhar and 1 at Bhubaneswar, 5 Plots in Keonjhar, 650 Gram Gold, 2 each four wheelers, two wheelers and Cash Rs 1.64 Crore ete has been found. His income and expenditure were calculated and he was found to be in possession of DA to the tune of 386% of his known source of income , it said. 10 DSPS, 7 Inspectors and other staff were involved in the raids.
Vigilance suspected that Jena accumulated huge amount during his tenure as Deputy Director of Mines under Joda, Koira Circles in Keonjhar and Sundargarh and Jajpur mining circle. Several allegations were levelled against Jena during his tenure as DDM (Joda) during the Odisha Mining Scam.
Vigilance sources said, Jena’s property may cross Rs 10 Crore. Besides, Jena invested huge amount in business. Jena’s share in a Hotel in Keonjhar and in a vehicle showroom also under Vigilance scanner, sources said. Vigilance also looking into Jena Son’s business syndicate.
During Vigilance raids at 13 places, senior officials of the anti-corruption wing were surprised following detection of such huge cash and bank deposits of Jena.
Odisha Additional Director of Mines, Jena, one of the blue eyed boys of State Government, manning Directorate of Mines, had come under scanner of Vigilance. Years back, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik led Government elevated Jena to the post of Additional Secretary in Steel and Mines department.
Jena’s five locations in Bhubaneswar, his native village at Sirispal in Keonjhar, Building located at Gamaharia in Keonjhar, In-law’s location at Ghasipura in Keonjhar and 5 other places in Keonjhar, were now under Vigilance scanner.
The anti-corruption wing conducting raids the properties of Jena on the allegation of possession of disproportionate assets.
Simultaneous house searches were being conducted by Odisha Vigilance led by 10 DSPS, 7 Inspectors and other staff on the strength of search warrants issued by Special Judge, Vigilance Bhubaneswar at the several places in Khurda, Bhubaneswar and Keonjhar.
