Odisha engineer under vigilance scanner after ₹2 crore found in family-linked bank lockers

Behera is currently serving as an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) with the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Baliguda, Kandhamal district.

The searches, spread across Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Jajpur and Baliguda, also led investigators to multiple high-value properties, land holdings and financial assets.

Officials said the operation remains underway and the total value of the assets is still being assessed.

Raids conducted at nine locations

The searches were launched following allegations that Behera had accumulated assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Acting on warrants issued by the Special Vigilance Court in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Vigilance teams carried out coordinated raids at several premises linked to the engineer and his family.

The operation involved senior vigilance officials, including Additional Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police and inspectors.

Searches were conducted at residences in Chandrasekharpur, Sailashree Vihar and Kanan Vihar in Bhubaneswar, properties in Jajpur and Baripada, Behera's official residence in Baliguda, and his office chamber.

Glimpses of Behera's properties across Odisha. Photo: X/viral image.

₹2 crore cash recovery turns probe significant

Investigators said the case took a major turn after approximately ₹2 crore was recovered from bank lockers allegedly linked to Behera's family members.

Earlier during the searches, vigilance officials had seized more than ₹2.66 lakh in cash from residential premises.

Authorities are now examining the source of the recovered money and whether it can be justified through documented income and financial records.

Multiple luxury properties under scrutiny

During the operation, vigilance teams identified five multi-storey buildings allegedly linked to Behera and his family.

Among the properties is a four-storey building spread across nearly 10,500 square feet in Bhubaneswar's Niladri Vihar locality.

Officials also traced four additional residential buildings located in Bhubaneswar and Jajpur district.

Technical experts have been tasked with assessing the market value of the properties as part of the ongoing investigation.

Prime land holdings detected

Investigators have also identified 13 land parcels allegedly owned by Behera and his family.

These include seven plots situated in prime areas of Bhubaneswar, along with several other properties in Jajpur and Baripada.

The valuation of these land holdings is currently underway.

Gold, deposits and investments being examined

Apart from cash and immovable assets, vigilance officials are scrutinising gold ornaments, bank deposits, postal savings, insurance policies and other investments linked to the engineer and his family members.

Authorities said the final value of the assets would be determined after the completion of the verification and valuation process.

From ₹6,000 monthly salary to vigilance probe

According to official records, Behera joined government service as a Junior Engineer in 1999 with a monthly salary of around ₹6,000.

Over the next two decades, he served in various tribal development agencies and engineering assignments before being promoted to Assistant Executive Engineer earlier this year.

Vigilance officials are now examining whether the assets allegedly accumulated during his career are proportionate to his known sources of income.

One of Odisha's biggest corruption investigations this year

With substantial cash recoveries, luxury properties, prime land holdings and financial investments coming under the scanner, the case is emerging as one of Odisha's most significant disproportionate-assets investigations this year.

Officials said a clearer picture of the alleged wealth amassed by the engineer will emerge once the ongoing searches and valuation exercises are completed.