Bhubaneswar, June 8: The Odisha Vigilance team arrested Baikunthanath Behera, an Assistant Executive Engineer at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Kandhamal district, on Sunday for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The investigation revealed that Behera owns properties worth crores, including a five-story building and 13 expensive plots. Additionally, cash amounting to ₹2 crores and over 300 grams of gold were recovered from two lockers.
On Saturday, Vigilance teams conducted simultaneous raids at nine locations, including Behera’s residences and offices, in Bhubaneswar, Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, and Dharmshala in Jajpur district.
The searches were carried out based on a search warrant issued by the Special Judge (Vigilance) in Bhubaneswar. Nine teams led by two Additional Superintendents of Police (ASP), five Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and six inspectors were involved in the operation.
During the raids, officials discovered Behera and his family’s assets worth crores. Notably, ₹2.04 crores in cash was recovered from two bank lockers belonging to his wife, marking one of the largest cash recoveries in recent years.
The investigation also uncovered that Behera and his family own six luxurious multi-story buildings, five of which are located in prime areas of Bhubaneswar. They possess 14 plots, with eight in Bhubaneswar, five in Dharmshala, and one in Baripada.
Vigilance officials also found ₹45 lakh in bank deposits, approximately 552 grams of gold jewelry, a four-wheeler, and household items valued at around ₹44.35 lakh.
A case has been registered against Baikunthanath Behera and his wife under Sections 13(2), 13(1)(B), and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 at the Vigilance Cell police station.
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