314 grams gold, Rs 2 crore cash and dozens of plots: Odisha govt engineer, who started with Rs 6000 salary, owns a hidden empire

A vigilance raid on Saturday unearthed massive assets allegedly linked to Baikuntha Nath Behera, assistant executive engineer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda, in Odisha's Kandhamal district, reported TOI.

According to TOI sources, the anti-corruption agency detected five multi-storeyed buildings, 13 high-value plots, 341 grams of gold, bank deposits worth Rs 45 lakh and Rs 2.04 crore in cash during searches conducted at nine locations linked to the 52-year-old engineer.

Properties Found Across Multiple Locations

Officials said the value of the assets could increase as searches are still underway.


During the raids, vigilance teams found four palatial houses in prime areas of Bhubaneswar and a 2,500-square-foot double-storeyed building at Pandua in Dharmasala area of Jajpur district.

High-Value Plots Detected

Among the 13 plots identified so far, seven are located in Bhubaneswar, five in Dharmasala in Jajpur district and one in Baripada.

The vigilance technical wing is currently carrying out measurements and valuation of the buildings and plots. Sources said the exact worth of the alleged disproportionate assets will be known only after the assessment process is completed.

Large Team Deployed for Searches

The simultaneous searches were conducted by a team comprising two additional SPs, five DSPs, six inspectors and other supporting staff.

Engineer's Service Background

Behera joined government service on August 16, 1999, as a junior engineer (civil) in Nabarangpur district with a monthly salary of Rs 6,000.

On February 12, he was promoted to the rank of assistant executive engineer and posted at ITDA, Baliguda, in Kandhamal district, where he continues to serve.