Bhubaneswar, Feb 5: Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday seized around Rs 2.6 crore in cash from the house of a senior officer of Watershed Department in Malkangiri district, officials said.

The Vigilance officials raided the house of Deputy Director And Project Director Of Watershed Department, Malkangiri, Santanu Mohapatra, for allegedly possessing disproportionate assets, they added.

In a social media post, the Vigilance Department said, “Cash Rs. 2.06 Crore seized during the house search of Santanu Mohapatra, Dy. Director & PD, Watershed, Malkangiri, & associates. Other assets of Mohapatra including 1 Multi Storeyed Building, 4 Plots in Bhubaneswar etc., Gold 422 gm, Deposits Rs.91 Lakhs unearthed.”

Further Updates: Cash Rs.2.06 Crore seized during house search of Sri Santanu Mohapatra, Dy. Director & PD, Watershed, Malkangiri, & associates. Other assets of Sri Mohapatra incl. 1 Multi Storeyed Bldg, 4 Plots in Bhubaneswar etc., Gold 422 gm, Deposits Rs.91 Lakhs unearthed. pic.twitter.com/84yt1MHAeM
— Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) February 5, 2025

A total of seven vigilance teams, headed by two additional SPs, four DSPs, and other staff, conducted simultaneous searches at seven locations, including Malkangiri, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar, allegedly linked to Mohapatra.

According to a Vigilance release, investigators also uncovered a multi-storey building spanning over 6,000 square feet in Jeypore, a 33 decimal plot in Bhubaneswar's Hansapal area, two plots in Jeypore, 55 decimals of land in Jeypore, 300 grams of gold, a car, two motorcycles, bank deposits and life insurance policies.

"The measurement and valuation of the seized properties are being conducted by the vigilance technical wing. Assessments of bank accounts, insurance policies, and other investments are also underway," the release stated.

The searches extended to Mohapatra's three-storey house in Jeypore and properties belonging to his associates, including assistant engineer Mohan Mandal, data entry operator Abhijit Mandal, and contractual employee Amiya Sahu. The Malkangiri watershed office and Mohapatra's ancestral house in Nuapada, Cuttack, were also searched.

Mohapatra, who began govt service as a junior soil conservation officer in 1995, was appointed as project director of Malkangiri watershed in Aug 2021. His responsibilities included executing development activities such as pond excavation, distribution of saplings and fish, and fencing projects under water and soil conservation programmes.

Mohapatra was scheduled to retire in Jan 2027.

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