21 July, 2025, Odisha – In a shocking revelation that has shaken the bureaucratic corridors of Odisha, Nityanand Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Keonjhar, has been caught with 115 homestead plots registered in his or family members’ name officially breaking the national record for the highest number of plots owned by any government officer caught in a corruption case.
Who is Nityanand Nayak?
Nityanand Nayak began his career as a Group B forest officer and climbed up the ladder to become a Group A officer over the course of 23 years. Hailing from a modest background and working with an average government salary, Nayak was never perceived as someone who would accumulate vast wealth until now. The recent raid and investigation by the Vigilance Department have not only exposed his ill gotten wealth but also revealed the deep rooted corruption prevailing within government departments.
National Record: 115 Homestead Plots
The discovery of 115 homestead plots in Nayak’s name, or in the names of his relatives and benami associates, has surpassed the previous record of 105 plots held by Pravas Pradhan, another government official from Keonjhar district who was caught in August 2024.
This new record has turned national attention towards Keonjhar, a district increasingly being seen as a hotbed of bureaucratic land scams. The case of Nityanand Nayak showcases how land meant for the poor, marginalized, and tribals is being systematically diverted by influential bureaucrats for personal gain.
Wealth Trail: From Salary to Empire
According to vigilance officials, Nayak’s government salary over 23 years was insufficient to explain his staggering wealth portfolio, which includes:
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- 115 homestead land plots across Odisha
- A 4 storey luxury residence in Bhubaneswar, measuring approximately 9,000 square feet
- Multiple luxury vehicles, including high-end SUVs
- Gold and diamond jewellery
- Huge cash reserves and fixed deposits worth several crores
- Multiple bank accounts and lockers
Interestingly, this empire was built without Nayak ever running a business, receiving an inheritance, or winning a lottery. His income remained within the modest scale of Indian government employees yet, his lifestyle and asset ownership rival that of corporate executives earning ₹30 lakh per annum.
Social Media Uproar and Public Rage
The exposé on Nityanand Nayak has gone viral across social media platforms, with users mocking how a forest officer could amass such wealth without external income. Comparisons are being made between hardworking middle-class professionals including engineers and tech workers who struggle for decades to afford a single plot or house, while Nayak acquired over a hundred with apparent ease.
A tech bro with ₹30 LPA can’t buy one plot without a loan. But Nityanand Nayak did 115 with a ₹60K salary. Welcome to India,” said one viral tweet.
The case has also reignited the debate over systemic corruption in Indian bureaucracy, particularly in the Forest Department, which is often involved in land rights, tribal affairs, and resource clearance.
How Was He Caught?
The anti-corruption wing initiated an investigation into Nayak’s assets following a tip-off and several anonymous complaints. A surveillance team was deployed, and a forensic audit of his financial transactions and property records exposed the true scale of corruption.
Searches were carried out simultaneously at eight different locations, including Nayak’s ancestral home, current residence, and suspected properties. During the raids, documents related to benami transactions, illegally purchased plots, and unaccounted jewellery were seized.
Officials also suspect that some of the land was acquired through coercion, manipulation of records, or collusion with local revenue officials. Investigations are ongoing to identify the real beneficiaries and sources of income.
What Happens Next?
The Odisha Vigilance Department has initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and Nayak is likely to be suspended and arrested once formal charges are filed. The authorities have frozen several of his bank accounts, and a full asset recovery process is underway.
If convicted, Nityanand Nayak could face imprisonment of up to 7 years, apart from seizure of all disproportionate assets. His properties may also be auctioned to recover the government’s losses.
Meanwhile, government employees across the state are being scrutinized for similar land ownership patterns and benami links. The case of Nityanand Nayak is expected to become a landmark in Odisha’s anti-corruption campaign.
Conclusion
The arrest of Nityanand Nayak is a symbolic moment for India. While this may be a single case, it is a mirror reflecting systemic abuse of power by those who rise through the ranks unchecked. As the probe unfolds, it remains to be seen how many more skeletons tumble out of Odisha’s bureaucratic closet.
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Source: Nityanand Nayak DFO corruption
