Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 23: Odisha Vigilance today arrested Dhenkanal Forest Range Officer Bibhudananda Mishra for allegedly accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. In addition, Mishra faces charges under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for illegally keeping Indian peafowl.
According to Vigilance sources, during simultaneous raids on properties linked to Mishra, authorities discovered a high-value flat in Bhubaneswar, two more flats in Hyderabad, eight plots in Bhubaneswar and Dhenkanal, and a farmhouse with construction work worth Rs. 2 crore in Rahangol village, Athagarh. The raids also revealed deposits totaling Rs. 1 crore, Rs. 5.15 lakh in cash (including Rs. 1 lakh hidden in a toilet flush tank), 557 grams of gold, and two four-wheelers—assets Mishra was unable to justify.
The searches took place at Mishra’s government quarters, office in Dhenkanal, parental home in Birakishorepur, farmhouse in Rahangol, flat in Bhubaneswar, and other locations. Vigilance officers, along with local Forest staff, also seized four peafowls from his farmhouse. Mishra has been charged under Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Mishra began his career as a forester on an ad-hoc basis in August 1987, became a regular forester in 1988, and was promoted to forest ranger in 2016.
