Cuttack: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths initiated simultaneous searches at five locations associated with Basanta Kumar Dash, the Deputy Director of Fisheries (Brackish Water), concerning the purported misappropriation of government funds.
Based on the credible information received about the misappropriation of government funds to the tune of Rs1,05,00,000 (Rs.1.05 Crore) by Dash, by transferring money from the government account to his personal bank account during the financial year 2024-25, a Vigilance enquiry was taken up.
During the enquiry, it was revealed that Dash, being the Drawing &Dusbursing Officer (DDO), transferred a sum of Rs1,05,00,000 (Rs.1.05 CRORE) from the government account to his account being maintained at SBI, Puri, and withdrew and misappropriated the same.
During investigation, today i.e. on 22.07.2024, simultaneous house searches are being conducted by Odisha Vigilance to unearth documents relating to the said misappropriation of Govt. money and investments made / assets acquired out of the misappropriated amount.
five teams led by five DSPs, four Inspectors, nine ASIs and other staff are engaged in the searches ongoing at the following places.
(1) Rented residential house of Dash located at Plot No.1426/4085, Sasana Padia, Keutasahi, Old Town, Mahatab Road, Bhubaneswar.
(2) House of Dash located at Tota Mahavir Lane, Ward No.30, Puri.
(3) Farm House located at Pilipila, near Goruala, Dist-Puri.
(4) Native village located at Govindpur, Naikandihi, Bhadrak.
(5) Office chamber of Dash at O/o Directorate of Fisheries, Odisha, Cuttack.
In this connection, Odisha Vigilance has registered a case against Dash, vide Vigilance Cell PS Case No 5/20.07.2024 U/s-13(2)r/w13(1)(a) P.C (Amendment) Act, 2018/409/420 IPC.
Searches are in progress and further reports regarding this are awaited.