Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance Thursday launched simultaneous searches at seven locations linked to Tapan Sethi, an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) posted in the Rural and Buildings (R&B) Sub-Division at Badachana in Jajpur district, over allegations that ‘he had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income’.
The searches are being conducted by Odisha Vigilance teams comprising three Additional Superintendents of Police, six Deputy Superintendents of Police, three Inspectors and other supporting personnel. The operation is being carried out under search warrants issued by the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Kataka.
The search operation covers residential properties and an office chamber associated with Sethi and his family members across Kataka, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Badachana in Jajpur district.
According to Vigilance sources, preliminary searches have led to the identification of several properties and other assets reportedly held in the name of Sethi and his family members.
The properties identified so far include a triple-storeyed building in Sector 7 of the CDA area in Kataka and another building at Sidha Mahavir in Puri. Officials have also identified a farmhouse with a single-storeyed building at Kantapada in Kataka district, along with a double-storeyed house in Sethi’s native village of Jhinkiria, under the jurisdiction of Konark police station in Puri district.
In addition, three high-value plots have reportedly been identified, including two in Bhubaneswar and one in CDA, Kataka.
The Technical Wing of Odisha Vigilance is currently undertaking the measurement, valuation and assessment of the buildings, farmhouse and plots to determine their estimated worth.
The searches have reportedly led to the detection of approximately 550 grams of gold jewellery.
Officials have also identified two four-wheelers as well as two two-wheelers.
A bank locker operated by Sethi at the State Bank of India’s Main Branch in Bhubaneswar is yet to be opened.
Meanwhile, Vigilance officials are ascertaining details of bank deposits and investments in other financial instruments to establish the overall value of the assets under examination.
The searches were continuing at the time of reporting, with the valuation of the identified properties and verification of financial assets still in progress.
The total value of the assets identified so far has not yet been officially established. Further details are expected as Odisha Vigilance continues its investigation into the alleged accumulation of assets disproportionate to Sethi’s known sources of income, Vigilance sources said.
