In a record-breaking operation, the Vigilance Directorate of Odisha on February 25, 2026, seized Rs4.27 crore in cash from Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines, Cuttack Circle.
Officials said the amount, the largest cash recovery ever by the anti-corruption wing in the state, was concealed in trolley bags and almirahs within Mohanty’s rented residence in the upscale Patia area of Bhubaneswar.
Preliminary inquiries suggest that Mohanty accumulated the funds through illicit means while holding office. Vigilance authorities have initiated further investigations to uncover the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities and determine whether any accomplices are involved.
The seizure has sparked renewed calls for stricter oversight of government officials and transparency in administrative processes, particularly in the mining sector.
