BHUBANESWAR: An Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer’s frequent travels by chartered flights during the lockdown and alleged accumulation of ill-gotten assets have prompted the Odisha government to launch a vigilance inquiry against him.
On Wednesday, simultaneous raids were carried out in Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Pune, Bihar and Rajasthan – one of the biggest by the state vigilance – to unearth alleged disproportionate assets (DA) owned by 58-year-old Abhay Kant Pathak, a 1987 batch IFS officer, who is currently posted as additional principal chief conservator of forests (plan, programme & afforestation) in the state.
“We mobilized around 150 officers in the search operation. His quarters and office in Bhubaneswar were searched. Residences of some of his relatives were also searched. We seized huge cash and other incriminating documents. Details of his assets and their value would be known after everything is collated,” a vigilance officer said.
Official sources said a central agency had alerted the Odisha government about Pathak’s air travels via chartered flights during the lockdown. Pathak and family reportedly flew at least 20 times to Patna, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune during lockdown and post-lockdown period.
“During inquiry, we have also come to know that Pathak had hired four private bodyguards for his son and himself. Each bodyguard was being paid around Rs 50,000 per month. His son lived a lavish lifestyle. They have taken a farmhouse on rent in Pune which costs Rs 5 lakh/month. They also have a high-end flat in Pune,” the vigilance officer added.
Sources said the vigilance seized around Rs 50 lakh in cash from his nephew’s home in Bhubaneswar, while huge amount of cash was also recovered from the home of Pathak’s driver in Pipili area of Puri district. The vigilance has also found five expensive vehicles owned by Pathak and his family, the source claimed.
It must be mentioned that Pathak’s son had earlier landed in trouble for allegedly impersonating a managing director (in-charge) of a reputed automobile company and trying to use his influence with an intention to cheat. The state police headquarters had then asked the crime branch to probe his alleged misdeeds.