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Puri/Bhubaneswar: A team of Vigilance officials today arrested the District Education Officer (DEO) of Puri, Hrushikesh Kandi, on charges of amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
Acting on a tipoff, officials of the anti-graft agency intercepted Kandi near Malatipatpur Bypass crossing on Puri-Konark Road while he was going towards Bhubaneswar in his duty vehicle yesterday evening.
Subsequently, the officials recovered unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.11 lakh from his possession. When asked about the source of the money, Kandi was unable to give satisfactory answers.
Simultaneously, another team of Vigilance department conducted raids at Kandi's house in Bhubaneswar and seized valuables including silver and gold ornaments and other articles worth around Rs 80 lakh.
Similar searches were reportedly conducted at his residential quarters, office in Puri and paternal house in Salepur in Cuttack district.
“Kandi was the DEO of Balasore before his posting in Puri. During his tenure in Balasore, many allegations of corruption were levelled against him,” said Bhubaneswar Vigilance SP R Prakash.
"He had also accumulated a lot of money illegally from school teachers. After receiving the complaint against him, he came under Vigilance surveillance. He was going to Bhubaneswar with the money and after getting the input, we intercepted him midway and recovered Rs 1.11 lakh from his vehicle," added the Vigilance SP.
It is being alleged that Kandi used to demand huge amount of money from school teachers for their transfer and other works.
Meanwhile, Kandi was taken to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar for medical examination and will be forwarded to court today.
Refuting the allegations, Kandi said, "No, it was not Rs 1.11 lakh and I had withdrawn the money from bank. I have not demanded money from anyone."
