Wealthy Mines Officer Arrested with Record Rs 4.27 Crore Cash in Bhubaneswar
Synopsis
In a dramatic turn of events, a mines officer in Bhubaneswar was arrested after authorities uncovered a staggering Rs 4.27 crore in cash at his residence, along with substantial gold and silver recoveries. This incident sheds light on ongoing corruption issues in the state.
Key Takeaways
Debabrata Mohanty has been arrested for bribery.
Over Rs 4.27 crore in cash was recovered.
Simultaneous searches were conducted at multiple locations.
Mohanty has a pending case from 2009 .
Corruption remains a significant issue in Odisha .
Bhubaneswar, Feb 25 (NationPress) In a stunning development, Vigilance officers apprehended a wealthy mines officer after discovering a staggering amount of cash exceeding Rs 4.27 crore at his rented residence. This operation involved simultaneous searches at various locations associated with the accused.
The officer in question, Debabrata Mohanty, serving as the Deputy Director of Mines for the Cuttack Circle, was taken into custody by the Odisha Vigilance and subsequently presented before the Special Judge, Vigilance Court in Bhubaneswar.
Mohanty was detained late Tuesday night, accused of soliciting a bribe of Rs 30,000 from a licensed coal vendor to ensure the uninterrupted operation of his coal depot and to facilitate the transportation of coal.
A formal case (1/26) has been lodged against him at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
According to reports, acting on a complaint from the vendor, vigilance officers set up a trap and caught Mohanty in the act of accepting the bribe on Tuesday evening.
Following the arrest, simultaneous searches were conducted at Mohanty’s rented residence in Shree Vihar, Patia, Bhubaneswar, his parental home in Mathasahi, Bhadrak, and his office in Cuttack.
During these searches, an astonishing amount of Rs 4,27,13,600 was found concealed in trolley bags and cupboards at his Bhubaneswar flat. Additionally, Rs 1.20 lakh was seized from his office drawer, along with gold jewelry weighing 305.40 grams and silver ornaments weighing 600 grams.
A senior vigilance official disclosed on Wednesday that Mohanty is also facing an unresolved vigilance case from 2009, still pending trial at the Vigilance Court in Baripada.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the State Assembly on Monday that the Vigilance Department has recorded a total of 416 cases against government officials and employees in the state for bribery, financial misconduct, and possession of disproportionate assets from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
Point of View
Reflecting a broader issue of accountability in public service. The significant amount of cash recovered suggests possible extensive misconduct, warranting close scrutiny and reform in the system.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason for Debabrata Mohanty's arrest?
Debabrata Mohanty was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe from a coal vendor to facilitate operations at his coal depot.
How much cash was recovered from Mohanty's residence?
Authorities recovered over Rs 4.27 crore in cash from Mohanty's rented accommodation.
What legal action has been taken against Mohanty?
A case has been registered against him under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Is there a history of corruption cases against Mohanty?
Yes, Mohanty has a pending vigilance case from 2009 that is still awaiting trial.
What does this incident reveal about corruption in Odisha?
This incident highlights ongoing corruption issues, with a reported total of 416 cases against government officials in the state for similar offenses.
