The Odisha Vigilance Department has arrested a senior mining officer as part of a significant anti-corruption operation, resulting in the recovery of over Rs 4 crore in unaccounted cash. This incident is noted as the largest cash seizure in the state’s history related to corruption. Debabrata Mohanty, serving as the Deputy Director of Mines for the Cuttack Circle, was apprehended on Tuesday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a licensed coal trader.

According to investigators, Mohanty requested the sum in exchange for facilitating the operations of the trader’s coal depot and allowing the transportation of coal. The Vigilance officials set up a trap and caught Mohanty in the act of receiving the bribe, leading to the immediate recovery and confiscation of the entire amount.

Extensive Searches Conducted at Multiple Locations

Following his arrest, simultaneous searches were conducted at three locations, including Mohanty’s residence in Bhubaneswar, his ancestral home in Bhadrak district, and his office in Cuttack. During the raid of his Bhubaneswar apartment, officials discovered over Rs 4 crore in cash, reportedly hidden in trolley bags and cupboards. The exact amount is still being determined as the counting of the seized funds is ongoing.

In addition to the cash recovered from his residence, the vigilance team also found Rs 1.20 lakh from Mohanty’s office drawer and during his personal search. Preliminary investigations have uncovered additional assets associated with Mohanty, including a two-storey residential property covering approximately 2,400 square feet in Bhubaneswar, as well as around 130 grams of gold.

Legal Action Initiated Against the Officer

A case against Mohanty has been filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station. Investigations are continuing, and vigilance officials have indicated that further recoveries may occur as the inquiry advances. The scale of this operation highlights the ongoing efforts by the Odisha Vigilance Department to combat corruption within the state’s administration.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share