Odisha Vigilance on Thursday launched simultaneous raids at seven locations linked to Malaya Kumar Nayak, Assistant Engineer of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department at Kolnara block in Rayagada district, over allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The searches were carried out on the strength of warrants issued by the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur. A Vigilance team comprising five Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), six Inspectors and other supporting staff conducted the raids simultaneously in Ganjam and Rayagada districts.

According to Vigilance sources, the searches covered a triple-storeyed residential building at Soundarya Nagar in Lochapada area of Berhampur, a house at Nayak’s native village at Tholanda Bada Danda Sahi under Jagannathprasad in Ganjam district, and houses belonging to his relatives at Bali Pindi Sahi and Pankal Sahi in Buguda.

The anti-corruption agency also searched the house of his in-laws at Kamalapur under Golanthara near Berhampur, his rented residence at Roit Colony in Rayagada and his office chamber at the Kolnara Block office.

Also Read: Odisha Vigilance nabs panchayat official taking Rs 18,000 bribe in Mayurbhanj

Officials said the raids were part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that the assistant engineer had accumulated assets beyond his known lawful income. Detailed assessment of documents, financial records and movable and immovable assets is currently underway.

The searches were continuing till the filing of this report, and the Vigilance department said further details regarding the seizure and valuation of assets would be released after completion of the operation.