Vigilance Raid Exposes Huge Cash and Assets
In a major anti-corruption crackdown, Odisha Vigilance officials have conducted raids on the properties of Rajesh Mohanty, an Additional Chief Engineer in the Irrigation Department, over allegations of possessing disproportionate assets. The engineer, often dubbed a “Kuber Engineer” due to his lavish wealth, has been found with substantial cash, gold, and other valuables.
During the search, officials reportedly recovered bundles of cash stored in white, red, and yellow envelopes—suspected to be linked to bribe collections. Vigilance officers were said to be exhausted counting the seized money.
Cash, Gold, Luxury Items Seized
The raid led to the recovery of ₹6.23 lakh in cash from Mohanty’s residence, along with deposits exceeding ₹60 lakh. In addition, a significant quantity of gold ornaments, expensive watches, and branded eyewear were also seized.
Officials further uncovered Mohanty’s extravagant lifestyle, including a penchant for air travel. Flight tickets worth ₹13.47 lakh were recovered from his house, indicating frequent air journeys.
Multiple Properties and Vehicles Traced
Vigilance teams have identified multiple immovable and movable assets linked to the engineer. These include:
- Five plots in Bhubaneswar, Dhenkanal, and Bhapur
- Two four-wheelers
- Two two-wheelers
Simultaneous raids are being carried out at several locations, including his residence and office premises in Bhubaneswar, by a team of 7–8 Vigilance officers.
Investigation Ongoing
The searches are still underway, and officials have stated that detailed information will be released after the completion of the raids. The case has intensified scrutiny on corruption within government departments.
Vigilance Crackdown on Corruption
The Odisha Vigilance Department has been actively pursuing corruption cases in recent years. Between January 2023 and December 2025:
- 683 corruption cases were registered
- 337 cases resulted in convictions
- Properties of six corrupt officials were confiscated
These confiscated assets have been repurposed for public welfare, including:
- A government horticulture nursery
- A public homeopathic dispensary
- Three Anganwadi centres
- A working women’s hostel
- A sub-post office
Additionally, assets worth ₹40.84 crore have been seized from 22 govt officials and employees. A sum of ₹32.5 lakh in cash has been deposited into the govt treasury, as informed by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in the Assembly.
Strong Message Against Corruption
The ongoing action against Rajesh Mohanty highlights the state government’s intensified efforts to curb corruption and ensure accountability among public officials.