Bhubaneswar, 06 September (H.S.): Odisha Vigilance intercepted an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Drainage Division in Kendrapada and recovered a total of Rs 7.15 lakh in cash during an ongoing investigation into suspected illegal gratification.

Acting on reliable information about the alleged collection of bribes from contractors for clearing pending bills, a Vigilance team intercepted the engineer at Marshaghai Crossing on NH-53A.

According to Vigilance officials, the officer was travelling from her office to her residence at Nayanvihar in Kendrapada in an official vehicle bearing registration number OD-29-S-6644 when she was intercepted.

During the interception, the Vigilance team recovered Rs 3.15 lakh in cash from her possession. As she allegedly failed to satisfactorily explain the source of the money, the cash, along with the official vehicle, was seized for further investigation.

Following the interception, Odisha Vigilance conducted searches at her office and residential premises as part of the ongoing inquiry.

During the search of her residence, officials recovered an additional Rs 4 lakh in cash, taking the total cash recovered from her possession and premises to Rs 7.15 lakh.

The Vigilance Department is examining the source of the recovered cash and investigating whether the money was linked to alleged illegal gratification or assets disproportionate to her known sources of income.

The engineer is currently being questioned by the Vigilance authorities to ascertain the source of the cash and establish the circumstances under which the money was allegedly in her possession.

Searches at the concerned premises are continuing, and further details are awaited, the Vigilance Department said.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda