The anti-corruption vigilance wing of Odisha Police on Saturday arrested Rama Chandra Nepak, a Deputy Ranger in the Jeypore Forest Range, Koraput, for allegedly accumulating disproportionate assets worth 501% more than his known sources of income.
During a search operation conducted on Friday, vigilance officers were stunned to discover 1.5 kg of gold and Rs1.43 crore in cash hidden in a secret chamber of Nepak’s house.
“Rama Chandra Nepak was arrested and forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Jeypore for possession of disproportionate assets that he could not satisfactorily explain. A case has been registered against Nepak, his spouse, and son under sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b)/12 of the PC (Amendment) Act, 2018,” said a vigilance statement.
The search also uncovered movable and immovable assets worth crores in Nepak’s and his family members’ names. These included a triple-storied building spanning 4,000 sq ft, three flats, two prime plots, Rs1.43 crore cash, gold ornaments weighing 1.504 kg, silver weighing 4.637 kg, and bank and insurance deposits totaling Rs1.32 crore.
After a thorough review of Nepak’s income, expenditure, and assets, officials concluded that his wealth exceeded his known income sources by 501%.
Nepak began his career in 1989 as a Village Forest Worker in the Koraput Social Forestry Division. He is due to retire in December 2025. Despite earning a modest monthly salary of Rs76,880 gross (Rs69,680 net), his accumulated wealth indicated proceeds from corrupt practices.
