How did an engineer who started his career in 1999 with a monthly salary of Rs 6,000 amass such a huge wealth? Were all land, buildings and financial investments purchased from legitimate sources? What is the source of Rs 2.4 crore cash found from home and bank locker? In what name have the 13-14 expensive plots found in and around Bhubaneswar been purchased? Know the answers to such questions.
Odisha Vigilance Raid: Baikunth Nath Behera, an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) working in the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda in Kandhamal district of Odisha, has come under the scanner in the disproportionate assets case. Odisha Vigilance has registered a case against him and initiated major action. On Saturday, the Odisha Vigilance team simultaneously raided 9 places linked to Baikunth Nath Behera. These places included his current residence, ancestral home, office and other properties. Vigilance officials allege that Behera has amassed wealth far beyond his known sources of income. This action was taken on the basis of this complaint.
Government career started in 1999
According to vigilance records, Baikunth Nath Behera started government service in the year 1999 as Junior Engineer (Civil) in Nabarangpur block. At that time his monthly salary was around Rs 6,000. After this he served in various capacities in ITDA and various government departments in Nabarangpur, Udala and other areas. In October 2016, he was promoted to the post of Assistant Engineer and posted at ITDA Nabarangpur. Later in February 2026, he was made Assistant Executive Engineer and posted in ITDA, Baliguda, where he is currently working.
Property worth crores exposed in raid
During the vigilance action, huge amount of cash, gold, land and other financial assets have been detected. Initial investigation has revealed the following assets:
- About Rs 2.4 crore cash recovered from bank locker and house
- five multi-storey buildings
- 13 valuable plots in Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas
- 341 gram gold jewelery
- Bank deposits of more than Rs 45 lakh
According to officials, the market value of the recovered buildings and other properties is still being assessed.
Investigation conducted in many cities including Bhubaneswar
The raids were conducted at several places including Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Jajpur and Baliguda. During the investigation, information about many luxurious houses, expensive lands and other financial investments has come to light. The Vigilance Department says that the action is still going on and additional information related to the properties is being collected.
What did SP Sushant Kumar Biswal say?
Cell Division Vigilance SP Sushant Kumar Biswal said that on Saturday, raids were conducted simultaneously at nine places including Baikunth Nath Behera’s house, ancestral house and office. He said that during the investigation, five multi-storey buildings, 13 valuable plots, gold jewellery, cash and bank deposits were unearthed in Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas. Also, about Rs 2.4 crore in cash has been recovered from the bank locker and house.
The case may be included in major corruption investigations of Odisha
The case is being considered as one of the major anti-corruption investigations of Odisha in the year 2026 after huge amount of cash, expensive properties and financial investments came to light. Officials say the total value of the property and other financial details will be made public after the raid and evaluation process is completed. At present the investigation of the case is going on.