Odisha Vigilance raid Archives - Odisha Connect

“Kuber Engineer” Rajesh Mohanty Under Vigilance Scanner: Massive Assets Unearthed

OdishaConnect — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:54:55 +0000

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.

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Vigilance Raid on Irrigation SDO in Ganjam Over Disproportionate Assets

OdishaConnect — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:33:02 +0000

In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Odisha Vigilance Department conducted simultaneous raids on properties linked to Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Panchu Behera, posted in the Dahi Irrigation Sub-Division under Bhanjanagar Irrigation Division in Ganjam district. The action was initiated following allegations of possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Simultaneous Raids at Multiple Locations

Vigilance teams carried out searches at five locations early this morning, including Behera’s residential houses and official office premises. The coordinated operation involved three DSP-rank officers and seven inspectors.

Cash and Valuable Assets Seized

According to Vigilance sources, cash worth ₹18.90 lakh has been seized so far. This includes:

₹15.13 lakh from his residence in Berhampur
₹3.72 lakh from his government quarters in Bhanjanagar

In addition to cash, officials recovered:

A construction mixer machine valued at approximately ₹57 lakh
A JCB machine worth around ₹37 lakh

Immovable Properties Under Scanner

The raid also led to the detection of several high-value immovable assets, including:

A multi-storey building in Berhampur
Five valuable land plots in and around the city
A three-storey residential building spread over 3,550 sq. ft. in Basant Vihar

A technical team is currently assessing the total value of these properties.

Vehicles, Bank Deposits, and Gold

Investigators have also identified:

One four-wheeler and three two-wheelers registered in Behera’s name
Deposits in multiple banks and post offices
Gold ornaments and jewellery, the valuation of which is still underway

Vigilance Intensifies Anti-Corruption Drive

The crackdown comes amid an intensified anti-corruption campaign by the Odisha Vigilance Department.

As per official data:

683 corruption cases were registered between January 2023 and December 2025
337 cases resulted in convictions
Properties of 6 corrupt officials have been confiscated by the government

These confiscated assets are being 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

Recovery of Crores from Officials

In total, assets worth ₹40.84 crore have been seized from 22 government officials and employees. Additionally, ₹32.50 lakh in cash has been deposited into the state treasury.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had earlier informed the State Assembly about these figures, underlining the government’s firm stance against corruption.

Investigation Continues

The Vigilance Department has stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of disproportionate assets linked to the SDO. More disclosures are expected as valuation and verification processes continue.

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Odisha’s Biggest Cash Bust: Rs 4 Crore Hidden in Mines Officer’s Flat

OdishaConnect — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:03:07 +0000

In one of the biggest anti-corruption crackdowns in the state’s history, Odisha Vigilance officials have seized over Rs 4 crore in cash from the Bhubaneswar apartment of a senior mining officer, triggering shockwaves across the administration.

Deputy Director of Mines Caught Taking Bribe

Officials of Odisha Vigilance apprehended Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines for the Cuttack Circle, late Monday night while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a coal vendor.

The arrest led to immediate and simultaneous raids at multiple locations linked to the officer.

Over Rs 4 Crore Cash Recovered From Bhubaneswar Flat

During searches at his apartment in Nature’s Crest, Patia, Bhubaneswar, vigilance teams reportedly recovered more than Rs 4 crore in cash. The money was found stuffed inside trolley bags, cupboards, and other storage spaces within the flat.

Officials said counting is still underway, and the final seized amount may vary after verification.

Simultaneous Raids in Bhadrak and Cuttack

Apart from the Bhubaneswar residence, searches were also conducted at Mohanty’s ancestral house in Bhadrak and his office in Cuttack.

From his office drawer and personal possession, officials seized an additional Rs 1.20 lakh in cash.

Gold and Property Details Surface

Investigators also unearthed approximately 130 grams of gold during the searches.

Further scrutiny revealed that Mohanty owns a two-storey house in Pahala, Bhubaneswar, spread over nearly 2,400 square feet. Authorities are now verifying the source of income and assessing whether the assets are disproportionate to his known earnings.

Mining Sector Under Spotlight

The massive seizure has sent ripples through the state’s mining sector, raising fresh concerns about corruption in mineral administration.

While vigilance officials have remained tight-lipped about further details, the case marks one of the largest cash recoveries ever made by Odisha Vigilance.

The investigation is ongoing, and more revelations are expected as scrutiny of documents, bank accounts, and additional assets continues.

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From Batch Topper to Bribe Taker – Minister Pujari Promises No Mercy for Errant Officers

OdishaConnect — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 13:10:53 +0000

The Odisha Revenue Department has once again tightened its stance against corruption after Bamra Tehsildar Ashwini Kumar Panda, a 2019 OAS topper, was caught accepting a bribe of ₹15,000. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari stressed that the government would not spare anyone found guilty of malpractice.

Tehsildar Suspended Amid Bribery Charges

Panda, once celebrated as a bright achiever in his batch, now faces immediate suspension. His downfall, from topper to tainted officer, is being seen as a warning to young bureaucrats who may be tempted to misuse their positions. Just two days earlier, another Kuchinda Tehsildar was suspended for alleged abuse of power in favour of an individual, reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance approach.

Minister’s Stern Warning

Minister Pujari declared that “no officer will escape accountability”, highlighting that some corrupt officials have already been jailed for their crimes. He noted that monthly departmental reviews were being conducted to monitor progress and admitted that while corruption has reduced, complete eradication will take time. Still, exemplary punishments are intended to leave a lasting impact on offenders.

Public Participation Encouraged

The minister also urged citizens to play a role in exposing corruption. “Bring incidents of bribery, injustice, or illegality to our notice, and action will be taken even before vigilance or police arrive,” he assured. This call for public involvement reflects the government’s intention to build a direct link of accountability between citizens and the administration.

Part of BJP’s Larger Anti-Corruption Drive

The swift suspension and strict warning align with the BJP government’s wider anti-corruption campaign, aimed at restoring public trust in governance. Immediate investigations and prompt disciplinary action underline a proactive model of governance, showcasing the administration’s determination to root out graft.

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IAS Officer Dhiman Chakma Arrested in Odisha for ₹10 Lakh Bribe; ₹47 Lakh Cash Recovered

OdishaConnect — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:36:58 +0000

On June 8, 2025, Dhiman Chakma, a 36-year-old IAS officer of the 2021 batch and subcollector of Dharamgarh in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, was arrested for accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe. Vigilance officials caught him red-handed at his home after a businessman, who runs a stone crusher company, reported that Chakma had demanded ₹20 lakh to avoid targeting his business.

Suspicious Transaction Leads to Vigilance Action
The businessman, suspicious of the demand, gave ₹10 lakh as a partial payment to authorities who had been alerted and set up a surveillance operation. Chakma was observed receiving the money in multiple bills, which he stored in a drawer. Chemical tests confirmed the presence of the bribe money on both the drawer and Chakma’s hands.

Unexplained ₹47 Lakh Found at Government Premises
Following the initial seizure, vigilance officials conducted further searches and recovered an additional ₹47 lakh in cash from Chakma’s government premises, raising suspicions of more extensive corruption. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further evidence.

Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Chakma has been charged under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, which prescribes imprisonment between three and seven years for such offences. The Vigilance Department in Bhubaneswar is actively probing all aspects of the case, including a thorough examination of Chakma’s assets.

Official Statement
Yeshwant Jethwa, Director of Vigilance, confirmed to Hindustan Times that the officer was caught accepting the bribe at his residence in Dharamgarh and emphasized that the search operations continue to uncover any additional wrongdoing.

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