‘Crorepati’ BMC Executive Engineer arrested after Vigilance unearths massive assets

The Odisha Vigilance Department on Thursday arrested Jagannath Pattnaik, an Executive Engineer at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), after uncovering massive assets disproportionate to his known income during coordinated raids at four locations. 

During the searches, officials seized a triple-storey building spanning 4,560 sq ft in Badagada, Bhubaneswar; two double-storey houses in Gunupur; and three high-value plots in Badagada and Khandagiri.

Additionally, a sprawling 1.57‑acre farmhouse in Ranapur (Balianta tehsil) was discovered, complete with multiple structures, a fish pond, and plantations of dragon fruit, coconut, and red sandalwood.

From the farmhouse, authorities recovered two deer antlers, raising concerns under wildlife protection laws. In another dramatic twist, a country-made gun was found on the premises.

Furthermore, financial seizures included approximately 200 g of gold jewellery, a luxury car, a bike, and bank deposits amounting to over Rs 80 lakh. Vigilance teams led by six DSPs and ten inspectors executed the raids following search warrants from the Special Vigilance Court.

The FIR filed against Pattnaik lists charges of accumulating disproportionate assets and an additional case under the Wildlife Protection Act for illegal possession of antler horns. 

The dramatic exposé has triggered widespread shock and raised serious questions over corruption within the BMC. The Vigilance Department is now conducting further asset valuation and forensic audits.

Pattnaik is expected to be presented before the Special Vigilance Court, Bhubaneswar, later today. Investigators caution that more revelations are to follow as the probe continues.