Vigilance raids forester, finds triple-storied building

Koraput: Vigilance sleuths on Friday unearthed assets worth crores during simultaneous house searches at three locations linked to Bhagbat Bhusan Behera, forester of Bhatangpadar forest section under Bhawanipatna forest range in Kalahandi district.According to a viligance release, assets detected so far include a triple-storied residential building at Hill Town, Bhawanipatna, built between 2022 and 2024, with an approximate area of 5,300 sqft and valued around Rs 1.36 crore. The vigilance detected nine valuable plots in and around Bhawanipatna. Measurement and valuation of these plots are currently being carried out by the vigilance technical wing.Among other assets found were bank, postal and insurance deposits amounting to Rs 30.64 lakh, gold jewellery weighing around 230 grams, silver ornaments of about 250 grams, and cash and household articles worth around Rs 11.15 lakh.Officials further revealed that two harvester machines, one tipper, four tractors and one SUV suspected to be benami assets are under verification. In addition, one car and motorcycle, together worth around Rs 12 lakh, were also found.The searches were carried out at his triple-storeyed residence at Hill Town, the house of his brother at Deundi under Junagarh police station, and his office chamber at Bhatangpadar forest sections. Officials said three teams comprising four DSPs, seven inspectors, four ASIs and other supporting staff participated in the search.According to the release, Behera joined govt service on Aug 20, 2000, as a forest guard under the DFO (North), Kalahandi, with an initial salary of Rs 3,000 per month. He was promoted to the rank of forester on March 5, 2024, and has been serving in various forest ranges in Kalahandi district for over 25 years.