Bhubaneswar, India: In what officials are calling the largest cash recovery ever by the state’s anti-corruption agency, Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday seized more than ₹4 crore (about USD 480,000) in cash during raids at the Bhubaneswar residence of Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle.
The massive haul came just hours after Mohanty was arrested on charges of accepting a ₹30,000 bribe from a licensed coal trader. According to Vigilance officials, Mohanty allegedly demanded the bribe in exchange for allowing smooth operation of a coal depot and granting transportation permissions.
Cash Hidden in Bags and Almirahs
Following his arrest, Vigilance teams conducted simultaneous searches at three locations: Mohanty’s flat in Bhubaneswar, his office chamber in Cuttack, and his parental home in Bhadrak district. During the raid at his Bhubaneswar flat, officials recovered cash exceeding ₹4 crore, concealed inside trolley bags and almirahs. Counting is still underway to determine the exact amount.
Additionally, ₹1.20 lakh in cash was seized from his office chamber and from his personal possession during the operation.
Other Assets Unearthed
Investigators also detected substantial assets allegedly disproportionate to Mohanty’s known sources of income. These include a double-storey house measuring around 2,400 square feet near Pahala on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and approximately 130 grams of gold ornaments.
Vigilance officials said a detailed assessment of Mohanty’s movable and immovable properties will be carried out once the searches are fully completed.
Long सरकारी Career Under Scanner
Mohanty joined government service in August 2004 as a Junior Mining Officer and served in multiple postings across Odisha, including Balangir, Baripada, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Phulbani, and the state headquarters in Bhubaneswar. He took charge as Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle, on January 7, 2026, overseeing mining activities in Cuttack and Kendrapara districts.
Vigilance Calls It Historic Seizure
Speaking to reporters, Bhubaneswar Vigilance Division SP Saroj Kumar Samal said Mohanty has been arrested and will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court in Bhubaneswar. He confirmed that the cash recovery is the highest-ever in the history of Odisha Vigilance.
The case has once again put the spotlight on corruption in the mining sector, with officials indicating that further legal action will follow based on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.