Odisha Engineer, kin own properties worth over Rs 7 cr; probe on

Bhubaneswar: The State Vigilance today conducted simultaneous searches at five places of Executive Engineer Jagannath Sethy and unearthed properties worth more than Rs 7 crore in possession of him.

Based on the allegation of amassing assets disproportionate to the known sources of income against Sethy, the Vigilance searched five places of him in Khordha and Ganjam districts.

The searches were carried out at Sethy’s residential five-storeyed building at Gajapati Nagar, 11th Lane Extension, Berhampur; residential four-storeyed building at AIIMS Nagar, 3rd Lane Bhubaneswar; residential four storeyed building at Gajapati Nagar, 8th Lane, Berhampur; house at native village Putabagada in Chhatrapur and office chamber at Ambapua, Berhampur.

On the strength of search warrants issued by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur, five teams of the State Vigilance conducted the searches at the five places of Jagannath Sethy who works as Executive Engineer, Rural Works (Electrical) Division, Berhampur.

Detailing out the list of moveable and immovable assets of Sethy and his family members that have been unearthed so far, the State Vigilance provide the following details:

1) One five-storeyed building at Gajapati Nagar, 11th Lane Extension, Berhampur worth about Rs 1.68 crore.

2) One four-storeyed building at AIIMS Nagar, 3rd Lane Bhubaneswar worth about Rs 1.5 crore.

3) One four-storeyed building at Gajapati Nagar, 8th Lane, Berhampur worth about Rs 90 lakhs.

4) Single storeyed building at village Putabagada, Chatrapur worth around Rs 9.53 lakhs.

5) 12 plots in prime area of Bhubaneswar, Jatni and Berhampur. The registered sale deed value comes to approximately Rs.1.34 crore.

6) Bank deposits in name of Sethy and his family members worth over Rs 85 lakhs.

7) Two four-wheelers (Mahindra XUV & Hyundai Creta) worth Rs 25 lakhs.

8) Cash Rs 19,88,790.

9) Three two-wheelers worth Rs 2,77,163 lakhs.

10) Gold jewellery and household articles.

The Vigilance further stated its technical wing will carry out detailed assessment of value of the properties and the valuation is likely to increase further.

“Undervaluation of the plots of Sethy during registration is suspected and a thorough probe has been initiated in this regard,” the Vigilance added.