Odisha Vigilance has arrested Kartikeswar Behera, Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Katabhal Gram Panchayat (GP), for possessing assets wildly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Behera also held additional charge as the In-Charge PEO of Gourenmunda GP under the Gaisilet Block in Baragada district.
Following simultaneous searches conducted across properties linked to Behera, anti-corruption officials unearthed a massive trail of real estate and financial assets that the official failed to account for satisfactorily.
Behera is scheduled to be forwarded today to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Baragada.
During the raids, Vigilance officials detected extensive immovable and movable properties registered under Behera and his family members.
The catalogue of assets includes:
- Two Multi-Storeyed Buildings: Spanning a massive total area of 14,500 sq. ft.
- Commercial Real Estate: One market complex and one warehouse/godown.
- Land Holdings: 35 individual plots of land located in key areas.
- Movable Assets & Cash: Rs 2.98 lakh in cash and one agricultural tractor, among other items.
Unable to offer a satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of these assets, Behera was formally taken into custody.
In connection with the seizure, the Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station registered Case No. 17/2026 against Behera under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Further investigations are underway.
