Berhampur/Ganjam: The Odisha Vigilance on Thursday recovered 18.90 lakh, a concrete mixer machine, a JCB machine, a multi-storey building and five plots during raids Panchu Behera, an Assistant Engineer currently posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the DAHA Irrigation Sub-Division under the Bhanjanagar Irrigation Division in Ganjam district.
The simultaneous searches, initiated on allegations that Behera possesses assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, has so far revealed the following assets:
1. A triple-storey building over 3550 sqft area at Basant Vihar, Berhampur.
2. Five valuable plots in and around Berhampur town.
3. Rs 18,90,800 in cash (Rs 15.13 lakh from residential house at Berhampur & Rs 3,72,800 from govt quarter at Bhanja Nagar).
4. A Concrete Mixer Machine purchased in 2024 for Rs 57 Lakh.
5. A JCB Machine purchased in 2025 for Rs 37 lakh.
6. A four wheeler (Hyundai i-20) & 3 two wheelers.
The measurement and valuation/assessment of the building/plots are being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing. Bank, postal deposits and other financial investments are being verified. The gold ornaments are being weighed.
A team led by three DSPs, seven inspectors, and supporting staff is conducting the operations based on search warrants issued by Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur.
The searches are underway at the following locations in Ganjam district:
>> His triple-storey residential building at Basant Vihar, Berhampur.
>> Government quarter at Bhanjanagar.
>> Office chamber at Bhanjanagar.
>> Paternal (ancestral) house at Polasara.
>> House of a relative at Bima Nagar, Berhampur.
This development comes amid Vigilance Department’s continued crackdown on alleged corruption among government officials, particularly in departments handling public infrastructure and irrigation projects.
