Odisha Vigilance conducts anti-corruption operations and arrests multiple officials

The Odisha Vigilance department has conducted several anti-corruption operations across the state, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant amounts of cash.

In Rourkela, Excise Superintendent Dhaneswar Barad was arrested after officials intercepted a vehicle carrying Rs 5 lakh in cash, which was allegedly being delivered to his residence by a local wine shop salesman. Subsequent searches of Barad’s properties in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar revealed disproportionate assets, including a double-storeyed building and bank deposits totaling approximately Rs 33.97 lakh, estimated to be 100% in excess of his known income.

In Ganjam district, Assistant Sub-Inspector Sujit Panigrahi of the Khalikote Police Station was apprehended while accepting a Rs 15,000 bribe to assist a complainant in a legal case. Investigations into his disproportionate assets are also underway.

Additionally, in Mayurbhanj, two government auditors, Prasanta Kumar Pradhan and Pragyan Prakash Patra, were arrested for allegedly demanding bribes from school and hostel authorities. Vigilance officials seized approximately Rs 14.43 lakh in cash from their possession and hotel rooms during the operation.