Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Friday seized over Rs 15 lakh unaccounted cash from Pabitra Mohan Panigrahi, Assistant Executive Engineer of Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district, after intercepting him when he was proceeding to Bhubaneswar.
Based on credible sources regarding collection of huge cash as bribe from contractors, Panigrahi was intercepted by a team of Vigilance near Gobindapally Chowk in Malkangiri while he was proceeding from his residential quarter at Chitrakonda to Bhubaneswar in a car, a Vigilance statement said.
During interception, a cash amounting to Rs 5.07 lakh was found in his possession. As Panigrahi could not explain satisfactorily, the amount was recovered from him and seized.
Following the interception, search was carried out at two locations linked to Panigrahi from Disproportionate Assets angle.
Further 20 bundles cash to the tune of Rs 10 lakh was recovered from his house at Bhubaneswar. Counting is in progress. Further searches are continuing.
The AEE is being examined to ascertain the source of funds. Further details are awaited.