Berhampur: Vigilance sleuths on Saturday detected five multi-storeyed buildings, 13 high-valued plots in Bhubaneswar, and cash of over Rs 2.66 lakh from the assistant executive engineer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda, in Kandhamal district. Sources said the properties of Baikuntha Nath Behera, 52, are likely to increase as the anti-corruption agency continued the search for his ill-gotten properties in nine different places.
Properties Detected
During the search, they found four palatial houses in different prime locations in Bhubaneswar, while a 2,500-sq-ft double-storeyed building was detected at Pandua, Dharmasala, in Jajpur district. Of the detected high-valued plots, seven were found in Bhubaneswar, five plots in Dharmasala in Jajpur district, and one in Baripada. The vigilance technical wing is carrying out the measurement and valuation of the detected buildings and plots, sources said.
Seizures and Valuations
During the raids, anti-corruption agency personnel also seized cash of Rs 2,66,400 from the accused, a huge amount of gold and silver ornaments, two lockers in different banks, and bank deposits, which are under calculation. The exact value of his ill-gotten properties would be known only after estimation, sources said.
Career Background
Behera joined government service on August 16, 1999, as a junior engineer (civil) in Nabarangpur district at a monthly salary of Rs 6,000. On February 12, he was promoted to the rank of assistant executive engineer and posted at ITDA, Baliguda, in Kandhamal district, where he has continued so far.
Search Operations
The vigilance sleuths conducted searches in nine different places linked to Behera from Saturday morning on the allegation of possession of disproportionate assets. The simultaneous search was carried out by pressing into service two additional SPs, five DSPs, six inspectors, and other supporting staff. The raids were conducted at his houses in Bhubaneswar, Baripada, and Dharmasala, and his office chamber at Baliguda, sources said.
