The Vigilance department on Wednesday raided the property and assets linked to Jagannath Sethy, Executive Engineer of Rural Works (Electrical) Division at Berhampur on charges of acquisition of disproportionate assets to the known sources of his income.
As per reports, teams of the anti-graft sleuths comprising an additional SP and four DsSP with the support of 10 inspectors and other staff conducted simultaneous searches at five places in Khordha and Ganjam district.
The raids were conducted on the strength of search warrants issued by Special Judge Vigilance, Berhampur, said the Odisha Vigilance through a press statement.
Vigilance sleuths are conducting searches at Sethy’s residential four-storeyed building located at Gajapati Nagar in 8th lane, five-storeyed building located at Gajapati Nagar in 11th lane extension in Berhampur and office at Ambapua. The probe team also raided the officer's house at his native Puttabagada village under Chhatrapur Police Station limits in Ganjam district.
Similar searches have also been done at his four-storeyed building at AIIMS Nagar 3rd lane in Bhubaneswar.
As per reports, Sethy and his son had locked themselves inside their houses at Berhampur and Bhubaneswar respectively to evade action and obstruct the Vigilance team from conducting searches. The duo also reportedly showed non-cooperation even after being told about the search warrants.
With no alternative, the Vigilance team reportedly forcibly entered the houses of the officer and his son after breaking open the entrance doors at both the places.
“Appropriate legal action will be taken against them for obstruction in lawful discharge of duties in connection with the matter,” the Vigilance department said in a press release.
Till the last reports came in, the Vigilance has unearthed cash over Rs 16.70 lakh from the residence of the Executive Engineer under Berhampur Electrical Division. The total disproportionate assets recovered from the raids will be known after the searches are completed.