Bhubaneswar. In a major action, the Odisha Vigilance Department on Saturday started simultaneous raids at several locations linked to Baikunth Nath Behera, Assistant Executive Engineer of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda in Kandhamal district. This action is being taken in connection with allegations of his having assets disproportionate to his known income. The Vigilance Department had obtained a search warrant from the special court in this case. After this, various teams were formed and a joint campaign was carried out. The entire campaign is being monitored by senior officials. Two additional superintendents of police, five deputy superintendents of police, six inspectors and other support staff are involved in the action. According to officials, vigilance teams are conducting simultaneous search operations at several places including Bhubaneswar, Baripada, Dharamshala in Jajpur district and Baliguda in Kandhamal district. During the investigation, properties and residential premises belonging to the engineer are being thoroughly investigated.
His four residential buildings in Bhubaneswar are being searched. These include a four-storey house located in Neeladri Vihar, a three-storey house located in Shailashree Vihar and two two-storey houses each located in Kanan Vihar and Chandrashekharpur. Apart from this, his ancestral house located in Dharamshala area of Jajpur district is also being investigated.
The Vigilance team has also conducted a search operation at the residences of two of his relatives. These residences are said to be located in Baripada and Pandua. Along with this, a detailed investigation is also being done at his work room and government residence at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency office located in Baliguda.
According to officials, the action is part of a preliminary investigation which has indicated that the officer may have acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during his service period. Documents, property records and other important materials are being examined during the raid.
The search operation was going on till the time of writing the report. Officials say that detailed information related to the case will be shared after the investigation is completed.
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