Major Cash Seizure: Over Rs 4 Crore Found at Mines Official's Flat in Odisha
Synopsis
A staggering recovery of over Rs 4 crore from the residence of Deputy Director of Mines, Debabrata Mohanty, marks a record cash seizure by Odisha's Vigilance Department, raising serious questions about corruption within government ranks.
Key Takeaways
Odisha's Vigilance Department made a record cash seizure exceeding Rs 4 crore.
Deputy Director of Mines Debabrata Mohanty was arrested for bribery allegations.
Simultaneous searches uncovered large sums of cash and assets.
Legal action has been initiated under anti-corruption laws.
Widespread corruption cases continue to be a significant concern in government sectors.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 25 (NationPress) In a historic cash recovery, Odisha's Vigilance Department has seized more than Rs 4 crore from the residence of the Deputy Director of Mines for the Cuttack Circle. The suspect, Debabrata Mohanty, was arrested on Tuesday night for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a licensed coal vendor to facilitate the uninterrupted operation of his coal depot and to authorize the transport of coal.
Following his detention, Vigilance officials conducted coordinated raids at various locations associated with him, including his flat in Shree Vihar at Patia in Bhubaneswar, his family home in Mathasahi near Bhadrak, and his office in Cuttack. These searches aimed to uncover any disproportionate assets (DA) in his possession.
During these operations, the officials discovered cash exceeding Rs 4 crore, which was hidden in trolley bags and almirahs within his Bhubaneswar flat. The counting process is currently ongoing to confirm the exact total.
This incident represents the largest cash seizure recorded by the Odisha Vigilance Department to date. In addition, Rs 1.20 lakh in cash was also found in Mohanty's office drawer and personal belongings.
Besides the cash, Vigilance officials have uncovered significant assets, including a lavish double-storeyed building of approximately 2,400 sq ft located in Pahala, Bhubaneswar. They have also seized gold ornaments weighing about 130 grams from his possession.
A case has been filed against Mohanty under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 at the Vigilance Police Station in Bhubaneswar.
Notably, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the State Assembly on Monday that the Vigilance Department has initiated 416 cases against government officials and employees in Odisha for corruption, financial misconduct, and possession of disproportionate assets from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the amount seized from the mines official's residence?
Over Rs 4 crore was seized from the flat of Deputy Director of Mines, Debabrata Mohanty.
What were the allegations against Debabrata Mohanty?
He was accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a licensed coal vendor.
What actions were taken by the Vigilance officials?
Officials conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations linked to Mohanty and recovered significant amounts of cash and assets.
What is the legal implication for Mohanty?
A case has been registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
How many cases have been registered against government officials in Odisha for corruption?
The Vigilance Department has registered 416 cases against government officials for corruption from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
