Bhubaneswar | In a major crackdown on corruption, the Odisha Vigilance Department arrested Mining Department Deputy Director Debabrata Mohanty after recovering around ₹4 crore in cash from his Bhubaneswar flat. The notes were reportedly hidden inside trolley bags kept at his residence. Authorities said the seizure is among the largest cash recoveries in the state, and a detailed investigation is currently underway.
The operation began on Tuesday night when vigilance officials caught Mohanty red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a coal licence-holding businessman in exchange for facilitating official work. Following the arrest, the vigilance team launched simultaneous search operations at three locations linked to the accused, including his office and residential property.
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During the search at Mohanty’s flat, investigators discovered large bundles of currency notes stored inside trolley bags. After counting the seized money, the total amount was found to be approximately ₹4 crore. Officials also recovered ₹1.2 lakh in cash from a drawer inside his office. The raid further revealed a luxurious two-storey house in Bhubaneswar and nearly 130 grams of gold jewellery, whose legal ownership is being verified.
The Vigilance Department has registered a case against the officer under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Preliminary investigations have indicated several suspicious financial transactions connected to the accused. Authorities are now conducting a detailed probe into the money trail to determine the source of the recovered cash.
Bank account records, property documents, and business associations linked to the officer are being examined as part of the investigation. Officials suspect that the case may be connected to a broader network of financial irregularities, and efforts are underway to identify other possible individuals involved.
State vigilance authorities described the action as a significant achievement in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. The cash seizure has reportedly broken the previous record in Odisha. Earlier, in 2022, about ₹3.4 crore in cash was recovered from the residence of an assistant engineer in Ganjam district, which was then considered the largest cash seizure in the state.
According to vigilance officials, the accused officer had been under surveillance following complaints regarding alleged misconduct. After being caught accepting the bribe, simultaneous raids were conducted at his properties, leading to the massive recovery of unaccounted cash.
Investigators are currently trying to determine whether the money was accumulated through illegal transactions or if it is linked to an organised corruption network. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of involvement of other officials or private individuals in the case.
The state administration stated that the operation sends a strong message against corruption and bribery in government departments. Officials emphasised that transparency in public administration will be strengthened and strict action will be taken against corrupt practices.
At present, Debabrata Mohanty has been arrested and is being interrogated by the vigilance team. Law enforcement agencies are also working to identify other suspects and verify whether more people were involved in the alleged corruption network. Further legal action will follow after completion of the investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
