Odisha hospital sweeper, who lived modest life, leaves behind bags of cash after death

Malkangiri's Dambaru Garada, a modest hospital sweeper, left behind unexpected bags of cash after his death. Despite earning Rs 50,000 monthly, he lived frugally without basic amenities. His assets may exceed a crore. The man has no legal heirs.

Odisha hospital sweeper, who lived modest life, leaves behind bags of cash after death

Dambaru's inset and cash spotted in his residence

time

The unexpected death of a longstanding hospital worker in Malkangiri district has revealed a substantial hidden fortune, leaving the community with many questions. Known locally only as Dambaru Garada, this frugal individual lived a modest life on the brink of poverty, yet a huge cache of cash was found in his government residence on Monday.

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The man died on Friday. However, without immediate heirs, the mystery of who would inherit this fortune persists.

Dambaru lived modest life

For 33 years, Dambaru resided in the government-provided house, passing away suddenly from a heart attack just one month shy of his retirement. Despite a monthly salary of around Rs 50,000, his lifestyle was notably austere, as he abstained from using essentials like electricity and cooking facilities. Neighbours recall a man who used candles for lighting despite having electric services at his disposal.

Local residents describe a sparse home environment, with only basic furnishings such as a fragile cot, rudimentary fittings, and a single gamchha (loincloth). Dambaru rarely cooked at home, instead opting for simple meals available outside. Surprisingly, upon gaining access following his death, police uncovered several bags of cash hidden in various parts of his quarters, neatly stacked with Rs 50, Rs 100, and Rs 500 notes.

When combining Dambaru’s bank balances and Employee Provident Fund (EPF) savings, his assets might exceed a crore. Regarded as dedicated and diligent, his avoidance of marriage and a new bicycle, despite his means, adds to the intrigue surrounding his character.

This scenario is likened to a squirrel storing and then forgetting its hoard. Dambaru’s secretive habits impress even those close to him, as his choices and hidden wealth continue to captivate the local community.

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“People used to earn money to live a comfortable life. He neither wore good clothes nor ate rich food during his lifetime. Rather, he spent his entire life wearing a towel. He was not using electricity, and since 1992, he was lighting candles at night instead. He was living a very frugal life,” a local resident and Dambaru’s neighbour, Prafulla Nayak, said to OTV.

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