Bhubaneshwar (Odisha): The Odisha Vigilance Department achieved a major breakthrough in its anti-corruption drive on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, recovering approximately ₹4 crore in cash from the residence of a government official. The massive stash of currency, which was found packed into trolley bags, was discovered at a flat in Bhubaneswar belonging to Debabrata Mohanty, the Deputy Director of Mines.
This recovery marks the highest-ever cash seizure made by the state’s anti-corruption agency in a single operation. The previous record was set in April 2022, when ₹3.4 crore was seized from the residence of an assistant engineer in Ganjam district.
Arrest and Investigation Details
The discovery followed the arrest of Debabrata Mohanty on Tuesday night after he was allegedly caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹30,000. The bribe was reportedly being paid by a licensed coal vendor to ensure the smooth operation of their business activities.
In the wake of the arrest, the Vigilance Department launched simultaneous raids across multiple locations associated with the officer:
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Bhubaneswar Flat: Authorities recovered ₹4 crore in cash along with approximately 130 grams of gold.
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Office in Cuttack: An additional ₹1.20 lakh in cash was discovered hidden in Mohanty’s office drawer.
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Bhadrak District: Searches were also conducted at Mohanty’s parental home as part of the asset verification process.
Detected Assets and Legal Action
Investigators have so far identified significant assets beyond the cash and gold, including a palatial double-storey house located in Bhubaneswar. A formal case has been registered against Mohanty under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency is currently analyzing financial documents to determine the full extent of the officer’s disproportionate assets.
