Bhubaneswar, June 8 (UDN): In one of the state’s major disproportionate assets cases, Odisha Vigilance has arrested Baikuntha Nath Behera, a government engineer, after uncovering assets allegedly far exceeding his known sources of income.
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Behera, who joined Odisha government service as a Junior Engineer in 1999 with a monthly salary of around ₹6,000, is alleged to have amassed wealth worth several crores of rupees over the course of his career. The case has drawn widespread public attention following the seizure of cash exceeding ₹2.04 crore and documents relating to multiple high-value properties.
Acting on allegations of possession of disproportionate assets, Vigilance officials conducted extensive searches at properties linked to Behera. During the raids, investigators reportedly unearthed five multi-storeyed buildings with a combined built-up area exceeding 20,000 square feet.
Among the properties identified are a four-storeyed building at Niladri Vihar in Chandrasekharpur, a triple-storeyed building at Sailashree Vihar, two double-storeyed buildings in Kanan Vihar and Chandrasekharpur, and another double-storeyed house on ancestral land at Pandua in Jajpur district.
The Vigilance teams also detected 14 valuable plots, including eight plots in Bhubaneswar, five in Dharmasala, and one in Baripada.
Apart from immovable assets, officials recovered cash amounting to more than ₹2.04 crore, gold ornaments weighing 341 grams, and bank deposits worth approximately ₹45 lakh. Authorities have also identified a locker operated in the name of Behera’s spouse, which is yet to be opened and examined.
The searches were carried out by nine Vigilance teams comprising senior officers, including Additional Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police, Inspectors, and supporting staff, under warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the assets are significantly disproportionate to Behera’s known sources of income. Vigilance officials stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged irregularities and identify any additional assets linked to the accused.
The case is being viewed as one of the significant anti-corruption actions undertaken by Odisha Vigilance in recent years and underscores the agency’s continued efforts to tackle corruption and ensure accountability in public service.