By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: On February 3, 2022, Odisha Vigilance had conducted raids at 7 locations spread from Ganjam to Bhubaneswar to trace the corruption empire of Rabi Narayana Prusty, the Chief Environmental Engineer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OPSCB) while on February 4, 2022, he was arrested by the Anti-corruption wing on the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income.
With Prusty is set to retire from service, he is desperately trying for his service extension for 1 year or more as applicable, and according he reportedly applied for it. Prusty’s such move raised a question mark on the role of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, who is Chairman of Odisha State Pollution Control Board and as well as the role of Forest , Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia is also under scanner.
Vigilance Department, framed charges against Prusty based on P.S. Case No.01 dated 04.02.2022 , registered cases against him U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of PC Act-1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act-2018.
Vigilance Department investigation is also under scanner following Prusty’s attempt for service extension. Vigilance claimed 100 % conviction in DA cases while Prusty’s case is completely contradicting its claims.
Questions are now being raised as to how Prusty is illegible for service extension even though serious corruption charges framed against him and cases pending at Vigilance Department. Sources said, earlier a senior OSPCB official named Hadibandhu Panigrahi arrested in DA cases while Board became a safe haven for corruption activities. Many official earned huge money during their posting at OSPCB, sources said.
Rabi Narayana Prusty, Hadibandhu Panigrahi were among those few names who brought shame for Board in recent times but no action against them yet while one is trying for service extension.
It may be noted here that, during searches, following assets were unearthed on February 3 and 4, 2022, following which Prusty was arrested :
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.
It was also suspected that investments have been made by Prusty outside the State in real estate, including illegal properties, which are under verification.
Vigilance maintained studied silence on Bank statements collected during searches which were 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 were not made public by the Vigilance yet.
Raids were conducted at following locations on February 3,4, 2022 :
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.
