Bhubaneswar, June 6: Odisha Vigilance has unearthed properties worth several crores of rupees during simultaneous raids conducted at multiple locations linked to Baikuntha Nath Behera, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda in Kandhamal district.

The searches, carried out at nine locations in Bhubaneswar, Baripada, Dharmasala in Jajpur district, and Baliguda, were launched following allegations that the engineer possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

During the ongoing investigation, Vigilance officials have so far identified five buildings, including four impressive residential structures in Bhubaneswar. These include a four-storeyed building spread over 10,500 square feet in Niladri Vihar, a triple-storeyed building in Sailashree Vihar, a double-storeyed building in Kanan Vihar, and another double-storeyed house in Chandrasekharpur. A fifth double-storeyed building was also discovered on ancestral land at Dharmasala in Jajpur district.

Investigators have further traced 13 high-value plots, seven of which are located in prime areas of Bhubaneswar, including Chandrasekharpur, Sailashree Vihar, Ghatikia and Bomikhal. Five plots were found in Dharmasala and one in Baripada.

The Vigilance team also seized ₹2.66 lakh in cash from premises linked to Behera. The valuation and weighing of recovered gold jewellery are currently underway, while two bank lockers operated in the name of his spouse are yet to be opened.

Officials are also examining bank accounts, postal deposits and other financial investments. The Vigilance Technical Wing has been tasked with assessing the market value of the buildings and plots.

Behera, 52, joined government service as a Junior Engineer in 1999 and was promoted to Assistant Executive Engineer earlier this year. Searches and investigations are continuing, with more disclosures expected in the coming days.

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