Vigilance sleuths in Bhubaneswar on Saturday detected five multi-storeyed buildings, 13 high-value plots, 341 grams of gold, Rs 45 lakh in deposits, and Rs 2.04 crore in cash from the assistant executive engineer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Baliguda, Kandhamal district.
Properties of Baikuntha Nath Behera Under Scrutiny
Sources stated that the properties of Baikuntha Nath Behera, 52, are likely to increase as the anti-corruption agency continued its search for his ill-gotten assets at nine different locations. During the search, officials found four palatial houses in various prime locations of Bhubaneswar, while a 2,500-square-foot double-storeyed building was detected at Pandua, Dharmasala, in Jajpur district. Of the detected high-value plots, seven were found in Bhubaneswar, five in Dharmasala, and one in Baripada.
Valuation Underway
The vigilance technical wing is currently carrying out the measurement and valuation of the detected buildings and plots. The exact value of his ill-gotten properties will be known only after estimation, sources added.
Details of the Raid Operation
The simultaneous search was carried out by deploying two additional superintendents of police, five deputy superintendents of police, six inspectors, and other supporting staff. Behera joined government service on August 16, 1999, as a junior engineer (civil) in Nabarangpur district with 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 continues to serve.
