BHUBANESWAR: In a staggering corruption case that has stunned law enforcement, the Odisha Vigilance Directorate launched simultaneous multi-city raids on an Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) engineer, recovering over ₹2 crore in cash alongside evidence of massive property assets.
The accused, Baikuntha Nath Behera, works as an engineer for the ITDA in the Baliguda region on a nominal monthly salary of just ₹6,000. Acting on a tip-off regarding wealth vastly disproportionate to his income, the anti-corruption wing obtained search warrants from the Special Vigilance Court in Bhubaneswar.
A massive task force comprising Superintendents of Police, Deputy SPs, and Inspectors simultaneously stormed nine locations across four cities: Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Jajpur, and Baliguda.
During the search at Behera’s residence and the subsequent opening of his bank lockers, investigators discovered mountains of hard cash totaling ₹2 crore, along with documents indicating extensive real estate holdings. Senior officials stated that the sheer scale of wealth accumulated by a low-salaried employee points toward a deep-rooted corruption racket within regional development projects. A meticulous forensic audit of his bank accounts and property deeds is underway as the investigation widens.