Crorepati Odisha engineer likely to be arrested; Vigilance investigation continues for second day

Chief Engineer of the RW Department, Bhubaneswar, Baikuntha Nath Sarangi, is likely to be arrested as Vigilance officials continue raids for the second consecutive day. The anti-corruption wing is conducting search operations at multiple locations linked to Sarangi, including his flat in Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, and residence at Karadagadia in Angul.

Sarangi, who was due for retirement today, May 31, 2025, had Vigilance swoop in just a day earlier. The operation, still underway, spans 15 places. So far, cash worth over Rs 2.51 crore has been recovered during the raids—Rs 1.30 crore from Sarangi’s Angul residence and Rs 1.21 crore from his Bhubaneswar flat.

Details of Assets Seized

Apart from the cash recovery, Vigilance sleuths have unearthed extensive assets in the name of Sarangi and his family members. This includes:

A double-storeyed residential building at Karadagadia, Angul

Another double-storeyed building at Matiasahi, Angul

A flat in PDN Exotica, Dumduma, Bhubaneswar

Another flat in Siulawith measuring 1100 square feet

Seven high-value plots on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and Angul

Measurement and valuation of the above properties are being carried out by the Vigilance Technical Wing.

In addition, the raids revealed:

Cash: Rs 2.51 crore

Share market investment: Rs 2.70 crore

Bank and insurance deposits: Rs 1.5 crore

Over 1 kg of gold

15 costly wristwatches

One locker maintained at Axis Bank, Angul, in the name of Sarangi’s wife, remains unopened.

Vigilance continues the search operation, and further details are awaited as investigations progress.