Odisha Vigilance Arrests SDA’s Ex-Planning Member For Amassing Assets 88% More Than Income

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested former planning member of Sambalpur Development Authority (SDA) Bandita Mohapatra on allegation of possessing huge assets disproportionate to her known sources of income.

The arrest was made after marathon raids by Vigilance officials at locations linked to her. She being forwarded to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur for possession of disproportionate assets (DA) of her known sources of income, which she could not account for satisfactorily, Vigilance said in a statement.

In this connection, Sambalpur Vigilance PS Case No.33 dated 20.12.2023 was registered against Mohapatra and her spouse U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b)/12 P.C. Amendment Act, 2018.

During house searches, the following movable and immovable assets worth crores of rupees were unearthed in the name of Mohapatra and her family members;

1. One triple storeyed building with area 5400 Sqft. over Plot No.1559/6001 at Unit-19, Soubhagya Nagar, Bhubaneswar of cost approx. Rs.1.34 Crore.

2. One Flat No. P/6, Netaji Subash Enclave, Gadakana, Bhubaneswar.

3. 7 plots including 3 in Bhubaneswar and 4 in and around Baripada town.

4. Deposits in Mutual Funds Rs.1,03,28,000/-.

5. Bank & Insurance deposits Rs.70,66,787/-.

6. Cash Rs.3,93,079/-.

7. Gold jewellery weighing 171.51 gms recovered from 3 lockers.

8. 1 four-wheeler & 1 two-wheeler and household articles worth over Rs.16.59 lakhs.

After thorough search, inventory and further enquiry, the income, expenditure and assets of Bandita Mohapatra were calculated and she was found in possession of disproportionate assets which were 88% in excess of her known sources of income. Investigation of the case is in progress.