Dayanidhi Bagh, Joint Director of Soil Conservation & Watershed Development, Bhubaneswar, has been arrested by the Odisha Vigilance. The arrest followed a raid that uncovered assets disproportionate to his known income. The properties included two buildings, a flat, gold, significant bank deposits, and a ‘benami’ car. Furthermore, Bagh and his family members possessed 84 acres of land, encompassing two farmhouses in Nabarangpur. One farmhouse, equipped with drip irrigation, was spread over 40 acres and valued at approximately Rs 1 crore. Another, covering 6 acres, also featured drip irrigation and a concrete house, with an estimated investment of Rs 46,12,665. Additional land holdings included 11 acres near Bhawanipatna and a shopping complex with five shops. Bagh’s inability to account for the source of his assets led to his arrest. The raid comes after the arrest of four watershed officials in Rayagada district in May for alleged fund misappropriation.
