Overview
- The Odisha Vigilance carried out simultaneous searches at nine locations linked to AEE Baikuntha Nath Behera, which on Saturday uncovered large cash sums, multiple buildings and land parcels.
- Investigators have seized more than Rs 2 crore in cash from bank lockers and located at least four lockers in the names of Behera and his wife, with counting by bank machines under way.
- Search teams detected five multi‑storey residential buildings and 14 high‑value plots across Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Baripada and have tasked the Vigilance Technical Wing with measuring and valuing those properties.
- Authorities also recovered gold jewellery weighing about 341 grams and financial deposits reported at roughly Rs 45 lakh while verification of bank accounts, investments and documents continues.
- The probe frames Behera's holdings against his government career beginning in 1999 and could lead to further legal or administrative action; in a separate operation the Vigilance also arrested a lineman for an alleged Rs 15,000 bribe.