Vigilance raid on former R&B chief engineer reveals 1.5 kg of gold, Rs 2.7 crore in bank deposits, and multiple flats and plots.
Apart from gold and diamond ornaments, the Vigilance officials also found gold coins, gold biscuits, foreign currency, several precious watches, luxury vehicles, and a substantial amount of cash.
Arpit Pattnaik
Vigilance officials were surprised to discover a substantial haul of gold, diamond, and silver ornaments during a thorough search of properties associated with Tara Prasad Mishra, the former Chief Engineer of Roads & Building (Civil) in Odisha. These raids were prompted by allegations of Mishra amassing assets disproportionate to his known income sources. The investigation is currently underway at nine locations connected to Mishra in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda.
Senior Vigilance officials have reported the discovery of 10 high-value flats in Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda, as well as seven plots, and bank deposits exceeding Rs 2.7 crore. Additionally, the search yielded 1.5 kg of gold, cash amounting to over Rs 6 lakh, two luxury cars including a Mercedes, and a collection of high-end watches valued at approximately Rs 13 lakh, including a Rolex.
In a statement, Vigilance officials disclosed that Mishra had also spent approximately Rs 80 lakh on his daughter’s medical education. They are currently in the process of identifying further deposits and investments in shares and mutual funds. Initial reports suggest that Mishra had been the subject of several allegations during his tenure, leading to his retirement from government service last year.
