In what has been described as the highest-ever cash seizure in the history of Odisha Vigilance, the anti-corruption agency recovered more than ₹4 crore from a Bhubaneswar flat linked to Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle.
Mohanty was apprehended a day earlier during a trap operation while allegedly accepting a ₹30,000 bribe from a licensed coal vendor. Following his arrest, Vigilance officials launched simultaneous searches at multiple locations associated with him.
The raids were conducted at his residential flat at Nature’s Crest Apartment in Shree Vihar, Patia (Bhubaneswar), his parental house at Mathasahi in Bhadrak district, and his office chamber in Cuttack. During the search of his Bhubaneswar residence, officials recovered over ₹4 crore in cash, reportedly concealed in trolley bags and almirahs. The seized money is currently being counted to determine the exact total.
In addition to the massive cash haul, officials recovered ₹1.20 lakh from the accused’s office drawer and his personal possession. The Vigilance team also detected other assets, including a double-storeyed building measuring approximately 2,400 square feet at Pahala in Bhubaneswar and around 130 grams of gold.
Officials stated that search operations are still underway and further details will be shared as the investigation progresses. The case is being viewed as a major milestone in the state’s anti-corruption crackdown.
