Odisha Vigilance Unearths 2 Buildings, 7 Plots & Use Of Rs 1.05 Cr ‘Embezzled’ Funds During Raids On Dy Director Of Fisheries

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance unearthed huge assets including two buildings, a farm house and seven plots during raids at five places linked to Deputy Director of Fisheries (Brackish Water) Basanta Kumar Dash in connection with alleged embezzlement of government funds of Rs 1.05 crore.

During probe by Vigilance, it was found that Dash, being the Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO), transferred Rs 1.05 crore from government account to his personal account at SBI, Puri, and withdrew and misappropriated the same, an official release said.

During further enquiry it was ascertained that Dash remained on leave from April 22, 2024 and has not yet joined in his duty. While on leave, Dash transferred a sum of Rs.1.05 crore from government account to his personal SB Account No.30013471610 of SBI, Puri through RTGS in 8 transactions from May 21, 2024 to June 19, 2024.

Subsequently, he withdrew Rs 99.37 lakh from his personal account in 281 transactions through ATM, Cheque, etc. During the course of investigation, simultaneous house searches were carried out on Monday by Odisha Vigilance at five locations to unearth documents relating to the said misappropriation of government money and investments made / assets acquired out of the misappropriated amount.

Five teams led by 5 DSPs, 4 Inspectors, 9 ASIs and other staff were engaged in the searches. During searches, it was ascertained that out of the above money withdrawn, Dash has purchased a plot worth approximately Rs 72 lakh in Bhubaneswar and also utilised around Rs 27 lakh towards purchase of gold ornaments.

So far, the following assets have been unearthed in the name of Dash and his family members during searches;

1) 1 double storeyed building of area approx 2000 Sqft. located at Tota Mahavir Lane, Puri.
2) Another building under construction of area approx. 1200 Sqft. at Baseli Sahi, Puri.
3) Farm House of area approx A 3.58 decimal located at Pilipila near Goruala, Dist-Puri.
4) 7 plots in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Bhadrak.
Details as under;
a) A piece of land vide plot No.1813/4015, Khata No.994/847 of area 0.55 decimal at Unit-27, Bhubaneswar worth approx. Rs.72 Lakhs.
b) Plot No.1590, Khata No.224/34, area of A 2.31 decimal at Damodarpur Sasan, Puri.
c) Plot No.1590/1835, Khata No.224/34, area of A 1.15 decimal at Damodarpur Sasan, Puri.
d) Plot No.1591, Khata No.478, area of A 1.74 decimal at Damodarpur Sasan, Puri.
e) Plot No.1589, Khata No.356, area of A 1.52 decimal at Damodarpur Sasan, Puri.
f) A piece land vide plot No.639, Khata No.145 of area 0.09 decimal mauza Bansipatna, Bhadrak.
g) A piece land of area 0.28 decimal mauza Birsa, Bhadrak.
The measurement and valuation/assessment of the above buildings and plots are being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing.
5) Gold 250 gms.
6) 1 four-wheeler Mahindra Verito.
7) 2 two-wheelers.
8) Bank, Postal, Insurance & other deposits are being ascertained.

In this connection, Odisha Vigilance has registered case against Dash and investigation is in progress, the release added.