Kendrapada: Odisha vigilance department on Thursday launched simultaneous searches at seven locations linked to Tapan Sethi, assistant executive engineer, R&B sub-division, Badachana, Jajpur, following allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.The raids, conducted on the strength of search warrants issued by the special judge, vigilance, Cuttack, are being led by three additional superintendents of police, six deputy superintendents of police, three inspectors, and other supporting staff across Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Badachana.During the ongoing operations, vigilance officials have unearthed multiple high-value properties and investments registered in the name of Sethi and his family members, which include a triple-storeyed building at Cuttack, a second triple-storeyed building at Puri, a double-storeyed building at Kantabada, Bhubaneswar, a double-storeyed house at his native place in Jhinkiria in Puri district, a one-acre farmhouse featuring a simplex building at Kantapada, Cuttack, and three prime land plots, including two in Bhubaneswar and one in CDA, Cuttack.Vigilance sleuths seized 550 grams of gold jewellery, a bank locker at SBI main branch in Bhubaneswar, which is scheduled to be opened and inspected, and multiple bank deposits and financial investments, currently undergoing financial audit. Two four-wheelers and two two-wheelers were also seized. The physical measurement and financial valuation of the buildings, plots, and farmhouse are being conducted by the technical wing of Odisha vigilance.Tapan Sethi joined govt service on Aug 6, 1997, as a junior engineer (civil) under the EIC (civil), Odisha, drawing an initial monthly salary of Rs 5,000. “Searches are still underway, and further detailed reports from the vigilance department are awaited,” said a vigilance officer.
