Bhubaneswar,(Orissa Today) Feb 5: The Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday seized approximately ₹1.97 crore in cash during raids at multiple locations linked to Santanu Mohapatra, the Deputy Director and Project Director (PD) of Watershed in Malkangiri. Mohapatra is under investigation for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
According to Vigilance officials, simultaneous searches were conducted at seven locations in Malkangiri, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar. The operation was carried out by multiple teams comprising two Additional SPs, four DSPs, ten inspectors, six ASIs, and other supporting staff, following search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Jeypore.
Apart from the significant cash recovery, officials also discovered a multi-storey building covering 6,000 sq. ft. in Jeypore town, four high-value plots in Bhubaneswar and Jeypore, and 300 grams of gold. The Vigilance Technical Wing is currently assessing the valuation of these properties, while bank deposits, insurance policies, and other financial investments are also being scrutinized.
The raids were conducted at Mohapatra’s residential triple-storey building in Jeypore, his office chamber in Malkangiri, and his paternal house in Nuapada, Balisahi, Cuttack. Additionally, properties linked to his associates, including Mohan Mandal (Assistant Agriculture Engineer), Biswajit Mandal (Data Entry Operator at PD Watershed), and Amiyakanta Sahu (contractual staff in his office), were also searched. Another raid took place at a relative’s house in Bhimatangi, Housing Board Colony, Bhubaneswar.
The Vigilance department continues its investigation to determine the full extent of Mohapatra’s alleged disproportionate assets.
Watershed Project Director under Vigilance scanner, ₹1.97 crore recovered
