A secret room full of cash, gold biscuits & more: What Odisha vigilance found from house of forest officer whose salary was Rs 70K

Odisha Vigilance officials unearthed a hidden treasure trove at the residence of Rama Chandra Nepak, a Deputy Ranger in the Jeypore Forest Range, whose monthly net salary is just Rs 69,680.

During extensive raids conducted on Friday, officials discovered over Rs 1.44 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold, 4.63 kg of silver, and multiple high-value assets, including two premium plots in Jeypore town. The most shocking discovery was a secret chamber inside Flat No. 510 of the Golden Height Residential Apartment in Jeypore, which concealed approximately Rs 1.4 crore in neatly stashed currency notes. Counting machines were brought in to tally the seized cash.

The raids, carried out simultaneously at six different locations linked to Nepak in Koraput and Bhubaneswar, involved six DSPs, five inspectors, nine ASIs, and several support staff. Locations searched included two flats in Jeypore, his office chamber, a building constructed on ancestral land, his in-laws’ house, and a Bhubaneswar apartment reportedly owned by his brother.



The vigilance department, acting on allegations of disproportionate assets, is now investigating the source of the massive wealth amassed by Nepak, who began his career as a Village Forest Worker in 1989. He currently holds the post of Deputy Ranger-cum-In-Charge Ranger of the Jeypore Forest Range.

Aside from the secret stash of cash, officers also recovered four gold biscuits, 16 gold coins (each weighing 10 grams), and uncovered bank deposits worth Rs 1.32 crore, raising further questions about the scale of financial irregularities.

Nepak, however, defended himself, claiming that a portion of the assets belonged to his wife and son, who he says are engaged in business. He also attributed the gold and silver to wedding gifts from his and his son’s marriage.

As the raids continue, the Vigilance department has confirmed that documentation and financial records are still under scrutiny to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption.