Bhubaneswar,(Orissa today) Feb 6: Odisha Vigilance has intensified its probe into a major corruption case after unearthing ₹2.06 crore in cash and 422 grams of gold during raids on properties linked to Santanu Mohapatra, the Deputy Director and Project Director (PD) of Watershed in Malkangiri. Following the raids, Mohapatra was brought to Bhubaneswar for an inventory of his locker at SBI’s Kapilaprasad branch.
The official is accused of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Vigilance sources revealed that Mohapatra owns multiple properties, including a luxurious three-storey house in Koraput spanning 6,000 square feet and four prime plots in Jeypore and Bhubaneswar.
Further investigations exposed a large-scale scam in which government funds meant for labor payments were allegedly siphoned off. Vigilance officials recovered several passbooks belonging to laborers during searches at the residences of DEO Biswajit Mandal and contractual employee Amiyakanta Sahu. These accounts were allegedly operated fraudulently to withdraw government funds under the pretense of completed projects.
Additionally, officials identified Alekh Chandra Pradhan, who operated a Jan Seva Kendra in Ganjam, as a key conduit in Mohapatra’s bribe collection. He allegedly collected and transferred bribes online from contractors and others on Mohapatra’s behalf. Evidence shows over ₹1 crore in illicit transactions between 2019 and 2024.
A separate investigation has been launched to scrutinize work records from the past two years, with Vigilance officials seizing related files for further examination.
Odisha Vigilance uncovers ₹2 crore cash in raid on Malkangiri official, expands investigation
