Odisha Vigilance Seizes ₹21.88 Lakh from Engineer Accused of Bribery
Odisha Vigilance has seized ₹21.88 lakh from an engineer accused of accepting bribes from contractors in Bhubaneswar.
Bhubaneswar, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Odisha Vigilance team conducted a significant operation on Saturday, seizing ₹21,88,620 in cash from Prasanjit Das, a Superintending Engineer in the Mahanadi Northern Division, located in Jagatpur, Cuttack district. He is accused of accepting bribes from contractors.
Officials reported that Das was intercepted late Thursday night near AG Square in Bhubaneswar while traveling in a rented Bolero vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed ₹7,28,620 in cash, suspected to be illicitly obtained.
Following this discovery, searches were carried out at multiple locations, including Das’s rented flat at Trident Galaxy in Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar, and his ancestral home in Baragarh. During the search of the rented apartment, an additional ₹14.60 lakh was found, bringing the total seized amount to ₹21,88,620.
Authorities noted that Das could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the money. The cash has been confiscated, and Das is currently in custody for questioning to determine the source of the funds and to verify the bribery allegations.
The operation was initiated after receiving information that Das had allegedly taken bribes from contractors at the Jagatpur Irrigation Inspection Bungalow. Tracking Das proved challenging as he frequently changed locations and vehicles. The Vigilance team utilized mobile tracking to monitor his activities, eventually locating him near Delta Square in Bhubaneswar.
The team followed him to the Delta Irrigation Inspection Bungalow, where he was attending an event. Two plainclothes Vigilance officers entered the venue to observe his actions, confirming his presence. Shortly thereafter, Das left the venue to meet another contractor and was stopped by the Vigilance team near AG Square, where the cash was recovered.
Simultaneously, another team monitored his rented flat at Trident Galaxy, where further cash was discovered. A case has been registered at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station on October 16. Investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the seized money and to examine the bribery allegations involving contractors.
