Taking a major action against corruption in Odisha, the State Vigilance Department has arrested a senior mining official. Unaccounted cash worth more than Rs 4 crore was recovered during the raid, which the department has described as the biggest cash seizure in its history.
The arrested officer has been identified as Debabrata Mohanty, who was posted as Deputy Director of Mines in Cuttack circle. According to vigilance officials, Mohanty was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 on Tuesday (February 24). It is alleged that he had asked for this amount from a licensed coal trader in return for the smooth operation of his coal depot and permission to transport coal.
🚨BIG! Odisha Vigilance has ARRESTED Sri Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle, for accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a licensed coal vendor.
— ₹4 crore+ cash seized in Bhubaneswar.
—Counting underway.
— Highest ever cash seizure by Odisha Vigilance. pic.twitter.com/6hEdGqhNq6— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 25, 2026
After receiving the complaint, the Vigilance team laid a trap and caught the accused while taking bribe. The entire amount was seized on the spot. Soon after, authorities launched a massive search operation against Mohanty.
After the arrest, simultaneous raids were conducted at his flat in Bhubaneswar, his ancestral house in Bhadrak district and his office room in Cuttack. Officers recovered more than Rs 4 crore in cash hidden in trolley bags and cupboards from the Bhubaneswar apartment. Counting of the seized amount is ongoing and the exact figure is yet to be revealed.
Besides this, Rs 1.20 lakh in cash was found during search of Mohanty’s office drawers and personal. Preliminary investigation has also revealed other assets, which include a two-storey house built on about 2,400 square feet of land in Bhubaneswar and about 130 grams of gold.
A case has been registered against Mohanty at Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Vigilance officials have said that more seizures cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses. This action in the state is being considered as a sign of strict stance in corruption cases. The Vigilance Department has clarified that strict action will continue in the cases of illegal property and bribery.
Also read:
Had it not been for my interference in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s PM would have died: Trump
Big relief to Shikhar Dhawan: Delhi court orders ex-wife to return money with interest
Fake call center busted in Palghar: Gang cheating foreigners arrested
Comments are closed.