Odisha Vigilance officials have detained Prasannajit Das, superintending engineer of the Mahanadi Northern Division, after recovering Rs 21,88,620 in cash from his vehicle and rented flat in Bhubaneswar, according to a report by The Samaja – Bhubaneswar. The action followed allegations that the engineer had accepted a bribe from a contractor.
The vigilance team stopped Das’s vehicle near AG Square in Bhubaneswar late at night and searched it. Officials reportedly found Rs 7,28,620 in cash inside the vehicle. The report said Das could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money, following which the cash was seized.
A search was subsequently conducted at Das’s rented flat in the Ghatikia area of Bhubaneswar on Saturday morning. Investigators recovered an additional Rs 14 lakh from the premises. The two seizures together brought the total cash recovered to Rs 21,88,620.
The case concerns an officer linked to a government engineering division responsible for public works. Allegations involving bribes in such departments can affect the administration of contracts, payments and project execution, although the available report does not establish the specific contract or transaction connected to the alleged demand.
Vigilance officials have also continued searches at Das’s ancestral home in Bargarh, the report said. The searches are part of the ongoing investigation into the source of the cash and the alleged bribery-related activity.
Das has been kept in custody while the investigation proceeds. The available report does not state whether a formal charge sheet has been filed or provide details of any court proceedings. Further action will depend on the findings of the vigilance investigation and the evidence collected during the searches.
