Crores in Cash and Luxury Properties Unearthed: Odisha Government Engineer Arrested

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance has arrested a government engineer. The charge is disproportionate assets. The accused is Baikuntha Nath Behera. He worked as Assistant Executive Engineer at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency in Baliguda, Kandhamal district. What investigators found at his homes left everyone stunned.

When the raid happened?

Vigilance teams hit multiple locations at the same time. They searched properties in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, Kandhamal and other areas. The raids were carried out by several teams working together. What came out of those searches was staggering.

How the cash was counted?

The biggest find was cash. Investigators recovered Rs 2 crore 4 lakh 14 thousand and 400 rupees in notes. The amount was so large it had to be counted using counting machines. The money was found at his residence and bank lockers.

What else was found?

The list does not stop at cash. Vigilance also recovered 552 grams of gold jewellery, bank deposits worth Rs 45 lakh, household items valued at Rs 44.35 lakh and a Hyundai Creta car.
Behera built five buildings in prime areas of Bhubaneswar. The biggest one is in Niladri Vihar, Chandrasekharpur. It is four floors high. Built area is around 10,500 square feet. There is also a three-floor building in Shailashree Vihar measuring 1,100 square feet. A two-floor house in Kanan Vihar Phase-1 spans 3,750 square feet. Another two-floor building in Chandrasekharpur covers 2,500 square feet. One more building was found in Jaydev Vihar.

House in his village too?

It was not just the city. Behera also built a two-floor house in his ancestral village in Dharmasala area of Jajpur district. The built-up area is around 2,500 square feet. Investigators say this too does not match his legal income.

How many high value plots?

Vigilance found 14 plots in his name. Eight are in prime locations in Bhubaneswar. Five are in Dharmasala, Jajpur. One is in Baripada. Documents and purchase sources of all 14 plots are under scanner.

Wife also named?

Behera is not the only one in the case. His wife has also been made an accused. Both have been booked under Sections 13(2), 13(1)(B) and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Amendment Act 2018.
798 Percent More Than Legal Income
Vigilance ran a detailed check. They verified bank accounts, property documents, income records and expenses. The conclusion was clear. Behera holds assets that are 798 percent more than his known sources of income. He could not explain where the money came from. He was produced before the Special Vigilance Court after arrest.

What about the case Investigation?

The case is still open. Bank transactions, investments and documents recovered during the raids are still being examined. Vigilance says more assets and financial dealings may surface as the probe goes deeper.

Key recoveries at a glance?

• Over Rs 2.04 crore cash had been recovered.
• Total buildings: 6, covering more than 21,000 square feet 
• Buildings in Bhubaneswar: 5
• High value plots: 14
• Bank deposits: Rs 45 lakh
• Gold jewellery: 552 grams
• Car: Hyundai Creta
• Household items: Worth Rs 44.35 lakh
• Assets over income: 798 percent.

This is being called one of the biggest disproportionate assets cases in Odisha in recent years.