Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday, 19 May conducted simultaneous raids across six locations in Kalahandi district linked to Bhubaneswar Sabar, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Sub-Division, Dharmagarh, and In-charge Executive Engineer, Roads and Buildings Division, Bhawanipatana, on allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The searches, authorised by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna, turned up properties and deposits reportedly worth crores of rupees.

Scale of the Raids

Six teams of Odisha Vigilance — led by six Deputy Superintendents of Police and eight Inspectors, along with supporting staff — fanned out simultaneously across Sabar's office, government quarter, and residential properties in Kalahandi. The coordinated operation was designed to prevent concealment or destruction of evidence.

Assets Discovered

According to Vigilance officials, Sabar and his family were found in possession of a substantial asset portfolio, including five buildings (of which four are multi-storeyed), 68 plots measuring 65 acres, two farmhouses spanning 17 acres, and one market complex with eight cabins. Additionally, bank deposits worth ₹10.72 lakh, one four-wheeler, and cash along with household articles valued at approximately ₹19.78 lakh were recovered. The cumulative value of these assets is under assessment.

Second Case: Panchayat Officer Caught Taking Bribe

In a separate operation on the same day, Odisha Vigilance nabbed Parsuram Naik, Panchayat Executive Officer of Mirginendi Gram Panchayat under Karanjia block in Mayurbhanj district, red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹18,000. The complainant — a contractual staffer of the same Gram Panchayat — had not received remuneration for the period from 26 March 2023 to 3 April 2025, despite orders from the Block Development Officer directing release of the payment.

According to Vigilance sources, Naik allegedly demanded ₹18,000 to process the staffer's arrear payment file and facilitate further regular remuneration withdrawals. After repeated requests went unheeded, the staffer approached the Vigilance authorities and lodged a formal complaint. A trap was subsequently laid near Tato Chhak, Karanjia, where Naik was apprehended. The entire bribe amount was recovered and seized in the presence of witnesses.

Broader Pattern of Accountability

The twin operations reflect Odisha Vigilance's sustained focus on corruption within public works and local governance. Disproportionate assets cases against public engineers have been a recurring feature of the agency's enforcement calendar, with several R&B and irrigation officials facing action in recent years. Notably, the Sabar case involves assets spread across a large land footprint — 82 acres in total across plots and farmhouses — which, critics argue, raises questions about oversight mechanisms within the Roads and Buildings department. Both cases are under further investigation.