In a record cash seizure by Odisha’s Vigilance Department, officials discovered more than Rs 4 crore in cash at the Bhubaneswar flat of Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle. The accused, Debabrata Mohanty, was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a licensed coal vendor for facilitating his coal depot operations and granting coal transportation permission. Vigilance authorities conducted searches at various locations associated with Mohanty, including his residence in Bhubaneswar, parental home in Bhadrak, and office in Cuttack to probe for any disproportionate assets.
Cash exceeding Rs 4 crore was found hidden in trolley bags and almirahs during the searches at Mohanty’s Bhubaneswar flat. The counting process is ongoing to determine the exact amount recovered. This cash seizure marks the largest in Odisha Vigilance’s history. Additionally, Rs 1.20 lakh in cash was seized from Mohanty’s office drawer and personal possession.
Apart from the cash, officials also uncovered assets including a double-storeyed building in Bhubaneswar and gold ornaments from Mohanty’s possession. A case has been filed against Mohanty under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station. The Chief Minister informed the State Assembly about the Vigilance Department registering 416 cases against government officers for bribery, financial irregularities, and disproportionate assets.
