In a significant crackdown on corruption, Odisha Vigilance officials intercepted Pabitra Mohan Panigrahi, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Chitrakonda Block in Malkangiri district, on Friday evening.
The operation, based on credible intelligence about Panigrahi collecting substantial bribes from contractors, unfolded near Gobindapally Chowk as he travelled from his government quarters in Chitrakonda toward Bhubaneswar.
Acting on a tip-off, a Vigilance team stopped Panigrahi, who was travelling in a WagonR car (registration OD-30-E-3096) by taking a lift. A search revealed Rs. 5.07 lakhs in cash in his possession, which he could not account for satisfactorily. The amount was promptly seized, and Panigrahi was detained for questioning to determine the source of the funds. Authorities suspect the cash to be ill-gotten, linked to bribes extracted from contractors in exchange for favours in government projects.
The investigation escalated quickly as Vigilance teams launched simultaneous searches at two locations associated with Panigrahi to probe potential disproportionate assets (DA). In a startling development, a raid at his Bhubaneswar residence uncovered an additional Rs. 10 lakhs in cash, bundled in 20 stacks, with counting still ongoing as of late Friday. Sources indicate that further searches are in progress to uncover more evidence of illicit wealth.
Panigrahi, a public servant tasked with overseeing engineering projects in Chitrakonda Block, now faces intense scrutiny. The Vigilance Department is examining whether the seized cash is part of a larger pattern of corruption, with allegations pointing to systematic bribe collection from contractors vying for government contracts. The searches aim to unearth assets disproportionate to his known income, a common indicator of corrupt practices among officials.
This interception marks another high-profile case in Odisha Vigilance’s ongoing efforts to curb corruption in the state. The department has been proactive under the current administration, with multiple officials caught in similar traps in recent months. The public has expressed mixed sentiments, with some praising the Vigilance’s vigilance, while others voice frustration over persistent corruption in government ranks.
As the investigation continues, Panigrahi remains under examination. Authorities are piecing together financial records, contractor testimonies, and property details to build a comprehensive case. The outcome of this probe could have far-reaching implications, potentially exposing deeper networks of corruption within the state’s administrative machinery.
Odisha Vigilance has appealed to the public to report suspicious activities, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and accountability. For now, all eyes are on the unfolding case, as the state awaits answers about the true extent of Panigrahi’s alleged misconduct.
