Bhubaneswar, 07 June (H.S.) : Odisha Vigilance has arrested Sri Baikuntha Nath Behera, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), ITDA, Baliguda in Kandhamal district, in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case. He has been forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar for possession of assets beyond his known sources of income.

According to Vigilance officials, simultaneous searches conducted at multiple locations linked to the accused revealed substantial assets, including five multi-storeyed buildings with a total built-up area exceeding 20,000 sq. ft., of which four are reported to be located in Bhubaneswar. Investigators also recovered 14 high-value plots, cash exceeding ₹2.04 crore, approximately 500 grams of gold, and bank deposits worth around ₹45 lakh.

Officials further stated that a locker operated in the name of his spouse has also been identified and is yet to be opened, which may lead to additional recoveries.

In this connection, Vigilance Cell Police Station Case No. 4/2026 has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, against Sri Behera.

Major Cash Seizures by Odisha Vigilance in Recent Years

Odisha Vigilance has reported several significant cash seizures during anti-corruption operations over the past two years:

₹2.04 crore seized during searches on Sri Baikuntha Nath Behera, AEE, ITDA Baliguda, Kandhamal (06.06.2026).

₹4.28 crore seized from Sri Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle (24–25.02.2026), described as one of the highest cash seizures in the history of Odisha Vigilance involving a mining officer.

₹73.66 lakh seized from Sri Jitendra Kumar Panda, Additional Tahasildar, Baranga, Cuttack (30.12.2025).

₹1.43 crore seized from Sri Rama Chandra Nepak, Deputy Ranger, Jeypore Forest Range, Koraput (25.07.2025).

₹2.56 crore seized from Sri Baikuntha Nath Sarangi, Chief Engineer, Plan Roads, Rural Works Department, Bhubaneswar (30.05.2025).

₹2.08 crore seized from Sri Santanu Mohapatra, Deputy Director & Project Director, Watershed,

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda