Cuttack, Jan 29: Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday intercepted Dr. Sanatana Behera, Associate Professor in the Department of Hepatology at SCB Medical College and Hospital, while he was allegedly carrying unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 2.63 lakh, suspected to be ill-gotten.
Acting on credible inputs regarding the collection of illegal cash from bidders participating in the supply of medical instruments to the Hepatology Department, a Vigilance team intercepted Dr. Behera today at Kathagolasahi–Medical Road in Cuttack. He was reportedly proceeding to his government residential quarters on a Hero Honda Activa scooter when he was stopped.
During the interception, Vigilance officials recovered Rs 2,63,000 in cash from Dr. Behera’s possession. As he failed to satisfactorily explain the source of the money, the cash was seized by the authorities.
Following the seizure, Odisha Vigilance launched simultaneous searches at three locations linked to Dr. Behera from a disproportionate assets (DA) angle. He is currently being examined to ascertain the source of the seized funds.
In this connection, Cuttack Vigilance registered a case against Dr. Sanatana Behera under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018. Further investigation is underway.
