Odisha Vigilance arrested Bidyut Ranjan Bhol, Deputy Manager of OPHWC Sambalpur Division, for possessing suspected ill-gotten cash and disproportionate assets.
On April 1, a Vigilance team intercepted Bhol near Sambalpur Railway Station and recovered ₹5.18 lakh in cash from his possession. He failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the money, prompting immediate seizure and registration of a case under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Following the interception, simultaneous searches were conducted in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, and Bhanjanagar. Investigators unearthed two multi-storeyed buildings, one flat in Bhubaneswar, and 29 plots in Jatni, Berhampur, and other locations.
Officials also seized 1.140 kg of gold, including coins and biscuits, ₹48.79 lakh in cash, and ₹30 lakh in bank deposits. Additional financial investments are under verification.
Bhol entered government service in 1998 as an Assistant Project Manager in Berhampur OPHWC with a starting salary of Rs 7,000. His current holdings have raised serious concerns about disproportionate wealth accumulation.
Odisha Vigilance confirmed that Bhol will be forwarded to the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sambalpur. The investigation remains active as officials continue to assess the full extent of his assets.
