Bhubaneswar, July 27, 2025 – In a significant crackdown on corruption in Odisha’s bureaucracy, two government officials Rama Chandra Nepak, a Deputy Ranger nearing retirement, and Sourav Tripathy, a young Junior Revenue Assistant have been arrested and sent to judicial custody on charges of disproportionate assets (DA) and bribery, respectively. The twin arrests send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated at any level, regardless of tenure or position.
Veteran Forester Rama Chandra Nepak Booked for 501% Disproportionate Assets
Sri Rama Chandra Nepak, serving as Deputy Ranger at Jeypore Forest Range in Koraput district, has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a thorough investigation revealed an astounding 501% disproportionate asset accumulation compared to his known sources of income.
The Anti-Corruption Wing of Odisha Vigilance Department conducted simultaneous raids across his properties and found:
- Cash of ₹1.43 crore
- A multi-storeyed building
- 3 luxury flats
- 2 residential plots
- Bank deposits totaling ₹1.33 crore
- 1.5 kilograms of gold ornaments
- 4.6 kilograms of silver
- 2 four wheeler vehicles
These assets are grossly inconsistent with his salary and known sources of income. With less than a year left before retirement, Rama Chandra Nepak now faces criminal proceedings that may lead to confiscation of assets and a long legal battle ahead.
According to Vigilance sources, the operation was initiated following specific intelligence inputs about his disproportionate wealth and misuse of his position in forest related clearances and illicit timber dealings. The raids were conducted across Jeypore, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack, covering his residences, bank accounts, and commercial establishments.
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A case has been registered under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). He was produced before the Special Vigilance Court and has been remanded to judicial custody pending further investigation.
Bribery Caught on Camera: Junior Revenue Assistant Sourav Tripathy Arrested for Accepting ₹30,000
In a separate but equally shocking case, Sri Sourav Tripathy, working as Junior Revenue Assistant at the Office of the Sub Collector, Bhubaneswar, has been arrested for accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a complainant in exchange for processing a Certificate Case.
The trap was laid by Odisha Vigilance after receiving a written complaint. A surveillance operation caught Tripathy red handed while accepting the bribe amount. The tainted money was recovered from his possession, and the entire process was video recorded to serve as clinching evidence.
Despite being just a year into service, the young official has fallen into the trap of petty corruption, raising serious concerns over the ethical foundation and training of entry level bureaucrats in the state machinery.
Tripathy has been charged under Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended). He has also been sent to judicial custody following his arrest and was produced in court the same day.
Dual Cases Expose Systemic Rot
The juxtaposition of a veteran officer nearing retirement and a newly inducted bureaucrat facing similar charges highlights a systemic issue within Odisha’s administrative framework. From top to bottom, the machinery appears vulnerable to corruption, and these two cases involving Rama Chandra Nepak and Sourav Tripathy have added to the growing list of officials under the scanner in 2025.
The Odisha Vigilance Department has been conducting a statewide drive to root out corruption, especially within the Revenue, Forest, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) sectors, where reports of bribery and misuse of authority are frequent.
Public Reactions and Demand for Accountability
The public has reacted strongly on social media, demanding not just arrests but confiscation of ill-gotten wealth, departmental dismissal, and a lifetime ban on government employment for such individuals.
Civic activists have also called for a time bound trial mechanism in corruption cases to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied. They argue that while vigilance raids are welcome, institutional reforms, whistleblower protection, and transparency in postings and transfers are the real antidotes to bureaucratic corruption.
Government Response
In light of recent developments, the Odisha Government has reiterated its “zero tolerance policy” against corruption. A senior official from the General Administration Department said, “The arrests of Rama Chandra Nepak and Sourav Tripathy are examples of our ongoing commitment to cleanse the administration. No one, whether senior or junior, will be spared if found guilty.”
Further departmental action is likely against both officers, and their service records will be reviewed by the concerned departments to initiate suspension or dismissal proceedings.
Conclusion
The twin arrests of Rama Chandra Nepak, with ₹1.43 crore in unaccounted cash and luxury assets, and Sourav Tripathy, caught accepting a ₹30,000 bribe, underscore the need for both punitive and preventive measures to eliminate corruption in public service. These cases serve as a stark reminder that the menace of corruption does not discriminate by rank or experience and that only strict action, judicial accountability, and systemic overhaul can restore public trust in governance.
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Source: Odisha Vigilance Department
