Bhubaneswar, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Odisha Vigilance on Saturday seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 21,88,620 from Prasanjit Das, Superintending Engineer of the Mahanadi Northern Division at Jagatpur in Cuttack district, following allegations that he had collected bribes from contractors.
According to Vigilance officials, Das was intercepted near AG Square in Bhubaneswar late on Thursday night while travelling in an officially hired Bolero vehicle. A search of the vehicle and his belongings led to the recovery of Rs 7,28,620 in suspected ill-gotten cash.
The operation was followed by searches at multiple locations, including Das’s rented flat in Trident Galaxy at Ghatikia in Bhubaneswar and his ancestral residence in Baragada. During the search of his rented accommodation, the Vigilance team recovered an additional Rs 14.60 lakh, taking the total seizure to Rs 21,88,620.
Officials said Das could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money. The seized cash was taken into custody, and the engineer was detained for questioning as investigators sought to establish its origin and verify the allegations against him.
Odisha Vigilance said the operation was initiated after it received information that Das had allegedly collected bribes from contractors at the Jagatpur Irrigation Inspection Bungalow.
According to the agency, tracking the engineer proved challenging because he allegedly changed his locations and vehicles several times. Vigilance personnel used mobile tracking to monitor his movements and eventually located him near Delta Square in Bhubaneswar.
The team subsequently traced him to the Delta Irrigation Inspection Bungalow, where he was attending a gathering. Two Vigilance officials in plain clothes reportedly entered the premises and monitored his movements to establish his identity and confirm his presence.
After the gathering ended, Das boarded his official Bolero vehicle and left to meet another contractor. Vigilance personnel intercepted him near AG Square and searched the vehicle, recovering the first tranche of cash.
Meanwhile, another Vigilance team had reached Das’s rented flat at Trident Galaxy and placed the premises under surveillance. Following the interception, the team searched the accommodation and recovered the additional Rs 14.60 lakh, officials said.
A case was registered at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station on October 16 under Section 13(2), read with Section 13(1)(b), of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.
The investigation is underway to determine the source of the seized money and examine the allegations that Das collected bribes from contractors. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.
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