Assistant Engineer Ashok Panda caught in Vigilance net; Cash, gold, and documents seized
Published By : Bratati Baral
| July 30, 2025 3:50 PM
Bhubaneswar, July 30: In a major crackdown, the Odisha Vigilance Department has apprehended Ashok Kumar Panda, Assistant Engineer of R&B Division-3, Bhubaneswar, following the recovery of unaccounted assets during a series of raids.
The action was initiated after a raid at the residence of another Assistant Engineer, Rajkishore Jena, on Tuesday. During the operation, officials discovered evidence indicating Panda’s joint ownership of Jena's properties. This led the Vigilance team to extend their search to Panda’s residence.
According to officials, upon spotting the Vigilance team, Panda locked himself inside his house and switched off his mobile phone to avoid contact. However, as the team prepared to seal the premises, Panda emerged and, in a desperate attempt to dispose of incriminating evidence, allegedly threw a bag out of the house.
The bag landed on a window grille and was recovered by officials. Upon inspection, it was found to contain ₹1 lakh in cash, gold and silver ornaments, an original Record of Rights (ROR) document, and an iPhone.
Following the discovery, Vigilance authorities carried out further searches at multiple locations linked to Panda on Wednesday.
An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the extent of disproportionate assets in possession of the Assistant Engineer.
