In a dramatic scene that shocked residents of Odisha’s capital, Chief Engineer Baikuntha Nath Sarangi of the State Rural Development Department threw bundles of ₹500 currency notes from the window of his apartment in Bhubaneswar as anti-corruption officials arrived to conduct raids. The incident is now at the center of a massive disproportionate assets case involving a state government official.
The incident, which resembled a scene from a crime thriller, occurred as vigilance teams launched simultaneous searches at seven different locations across Bhubaneswar, Angul, and Pipili (Puri district). So far, over ₹2.1 crore in unaccounted cash has been recovered, with counting still underway.
Money Recovered from Multiple Locations, Cash Thrown Out of Window
The Odisha Vigilance Department revealed that the raids targeted:
- Sarangi’s double-storey house in Karadagadia, Angul
- A flat in Dumduma, Bhubaneswar
- Another flat in Puri
- A relative’s house in Sikshyakapada, Angul
- His paternal house and another double-storey building in Angul
- His office chamber
The most sensational moment came when Sarangi attempted to dispose of evidence by throwing bundles of cash from his Bhubaneswar apartment window as vigilance officers approached. The cash, mostly in ₹500 notes, was later recovered from the ground in the presence of witnesses.
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So far, officials have confirmed the recovery of ₹1.1 crore from Sarangi’s Angul residence and another ₹1 crore from his Bhubaneswar flat.
Massive Team of Vigilance Officers Mobilized
The raid was executed by a 26-member team comprising:
- 8 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs)
- 12 Inspectors
- 6 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs)
- Supporting staff from Odisha Vigilance
The operation was carried out after a detailed inquiry and tip-offs regarding disproportionate assets and possible corruption by the senior official, who held a crucial position overseeing rural development projects in the state.
Visuals from the raid have since gone viral on social media, showing officers counting heaps of unaccounted currency stacked in bundles of ₹500, ₹200, ₹100, and ₹50 notes. The footage has intensified public outrage and raised serious questions about corruption within the state bureaucracy.
Disproportionate Assets Case Underway
According to vigilance sources, Sarangi is now under formal investigation for amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income. The Odisha Vigilance Directorate has confirmed that an inquiry is being conducted under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Authorities believe this is just the tip of the iceberg, and more illegal assets and cash may be uncovered as investigations continue.
