Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Odisha Vigilance has arrested Sri Surendra Behera, Superintending Engineer of the Irrigation Division, Angul, in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case. He will be forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh, for further legal proceedings.

During a detailed probe, Vigilance officials conducted searches on Behera’s properties and discovered assets far exceeding his known sources of income. These include two multi-storey buildings, two flats in Bhubaneswar, four high-value plots, cash amounting to ₹2.33 lakh, and bank deposits totaling approximately ₹54 lakh, which he could not satisfactorily account for.

Following these findings, a case was registered at Rourkela Vigilance Police Station (PS Case No. 9/2025) against Behera. Investigations are ongoing to trace the source of these assets and determine if other officials or associates were involved.

Experts note that disproportionate assets cases are a key tool in holding public officials accountable, ensuring transparency, and curbing corruption in government departments. Odisha Vigilance has been particularly active in recent years, targeting officers in the irrigation and public works departments, where allegations of illicit wealth accumulation are frequent.

The Vigilance Department has reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out corruption and warned other officials that misuse of public office and accumulation of illegal assets will be strictly dealt with, irrespective of their rank or seniority.

This case comes amid a series of high-profile arrests and investigations, reinforcing the state’s zero-tolerance approach toward graft and the illegal acquisition of wealth by government employees.

Further investigation is underway.