BHUBANESWAR: Vigilance on Wednesday unearthed huge assets running into crores of rupees from the possession of an additional chief engineer of Water Resources department.
Rajesh Chandra Mohanty, posted as additional chief engineer of dam safety, was also in possession of Rs 6.23 lakh in cash and massive property.
On the day, the anti-corruption agency raided six locations linked to him including a three-storey building in Bhubaneswar, his paternal house at Badachana in Jajpur, house of a relative in Dhenkanal town, his office chamber here, house of an associate in Cuttack, among others.
The three-storey building spanning over 3,000 sq ft is located in Baramunda Housing Board Colony area of the capital city while a farm house and a two-storey building over 1.71 acre land belonging to Mohanty and his family members were found at Bimbol in Dhenkanal district.
The officer was also found in possession of eight valuable plots including one each in Bhubaneswar and Jajpur and six in Bimbol. Deposits of over Rs 1.70 crore and gold ornaments weighing around 350 gram were also unearthed. The measurement and valuation of the property is being carried out by the Vigilance’s technical wing.
This apart, he was also found with household articles worth Rs 20.61 lakh and two cars. Sources said the entire Rs 6.23 lakh cash was recovered from different envelopes which the Vigilance officers suspect he may have received as bribes from some contractors.
Vigilance officials said Mohanty had also incurred Rs 13.47 lakh expenses towards air travel and the purpose of his visits to multiple locations is under verification.
Mohanty entered into government service in 1994 as a stipendiary engineer under Odisha Housing Board with monthly salary of Rs 2,000 and served in various ranks over the years. In July 2021, he was promoted to the rank of additional chief engineer and posted at Mahanadi south division in Cuttack. In February this year, he was transferred to the office of engineer-in-chief as additional chief engineer of dam safety and has been continuing there since.