In a massive corruption crackdown, Odisha’s Vigilance Department on Monday (August 4, 2025) arrested a motor vehicle inspector (MVI), Golap Chandra Hansdah, posted at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Boudh, after officials unearthed enormous unaccounted wealth, including 44 plots of land, 1 kg of gold, and ₹1.34 crore in bank deposits.

This arrest has sent shockwaves across the state administrative circles, highlighting the deep-rooted corruption in public services, particularly in departments directly interacting with the public.

Assets Seized in Raid

According to officials, the searches revealed:

• 44 land plots, of which 43 were in Baripada and one near Balasore

• 1 kg of gold

• 2 kg of silver

• ₹2.38 lakh in hard cash

• ₹1.34 crore deposited across multiple bank accounts

• A multi-storey building believed to be owned by Hansdah

• A diary recording benami transactions and shadow assets

Officials said the magnitude of property uncovered far exceeded his known sources of income, and Hansdah failed to explain their ownership or acquisition.

Vigilance Case Registered

A formal case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been lodged. Sources within the Vigilance Department indicated that more arrests and investigations could follow, especially based on the names and entries found in the seized diary.

The diary is now central to the probe and allegedly contains details of deals, hidden investments, and shell ownerships linked to both Hansdah and possible accomplices.

Long Government Career Under Scrutiny

Hansdah joined Odisha government service in 1991, and currently draws a monthly salary of ₹1.08 lakh. Over the years, however, his standard of living and property accumulation had raised eyebrows.

Though his declared income sources were minimal, his family reportedly lived in luxurious accommodations and maintained a high-value lifestyle.

An official involved in the raid stated:

“The MVI could not account for possession of the assets satisfactorily. We are now examining his income history, travel logs, and other financial activities.”

A Closer Look at the 44 Plots

The bulk of the real estate—43 plots—are concentrated in Baripada, indicating intentional acquisition for investment or resale value, according to real estate analysts assisting the Vigilance Department.

One plot was traced to the outskirts of Balasore, also a rapidly urbanising area. Investigators suspect the properties could have been purchased in relatives’ or proxies’ names, making them benami assets, which would attract further legal complications.

Political, Administrative, and Public Reaction

The news has triggered a wave of public outrage, with citizens demanding a larger probe into the RTO and transport departments across the state.

Corruption in transport departments—ranging from vehicle fitness certification to license issuance and route permits—has long been a silent grievance among the people of Odisha.

Opposition leaders have called for a state-wide audit of RTO officials, while some ruling party spokespersons have maintained that the law will take its own course.

A senior bureaucrat said,

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. The scale of wealth uncovered here demands a deeper forensic audit, not only of the accused but also his entire circle of influence.”

Systemic Concerns Highlighted

This case has reignited discussion over inefficiencies in asset declaration monitoring, and the lack of digital oversight mechanisms to track abnormal increases in wealth for government servants.

Experts say a robust digital asset verification system—connected to PAN, Aadhaar, and land records—could have flagged such discrepancies earlier.

It also highlights the importance of institutional reforms in public service, where lack of accountability often allows such cases of wealth hoarding to go unchecked for decades.

Next Steps and Legal Proceedings

Hansdah has been remanded to judicial custody, and a team has been formed to:

• Examine his income and tax records

• Trace ownership trails of all properties and assets

• Identify associates, family members, or any benami partners

• Freeze bank accounts and track foreign remittances, if any

The Vigilance Department has also requested assistance from the Income Tax Department, State Crime Branch, and land revenue officials for complete asset mapping.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Governance

The arrest of Golap Chandra Hansdah and the discovery of disproportionate assets serve as a grim reminder of how corruption can thrive under the radar for decades.

This case is likely to become a model for anti-corruption measures in the state, prompting government agencies to tighten their scrutiny mechanisms and modernise transparency tools.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes remain on what the diary reveals and whether it leads to the exposure of a wider corruption network within Odisha’s public sector ecosystem.

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