Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested Kartikeswar Behera, Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Katabhal Gram Panchayat (GP) in Baragada district, following the discovery of massive unaccounted assets during anti-corruption raids.
Behera, who also held additional charge as the in-charge PEO of Gourenmunda GP under Gaisilet block, was taken into custody after failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for wealth wildly disproportionate to his known sources of income. He is scheduled to be produced before the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Baragada.
The arrest came after simultaneous, multi-location search operations conducted across six properties linked to Behera in the district, led by a team comprising five Deputy Superintendents of Police, eight Inspectors, and supporting staff under court-issued search warrants. During the operations, anti-corruption sleuths unearthed two multi-storeyed buildings spanning a combined built-up area of 14,500 square feet, a commercial market complex consisting of six rooms, a three-room godown, 35 plots on the outskirt of Gaisilet & Kandagada in Baragada district, ₹2.98 lakh in cash, and a tractor.
A case has been registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and further investigation is underway into the full extent of Behera’s financial holdings and property acquisitions.
Notably, Behera joined government service in July 1994 as Secretary, Gaisilet GP with initial salary Rs500 per month. On June 4, 2009, he was promoted to the rank of VLW. The post was redisgnated as PEO in 2012. He has been working as PEO, Katabhal GP since 2024 along with in charge PEO of Firingimal GP and Gourenmunda GP, all under Gaisilet block in Baragada district. He had been serving in the district for over 30 years and his present salary was Rs 52,320.
