Odisha vigilance seizes ₹4 crore cash in mining bribery case

Odisha Vigilance arrested Deputy Director of Mines Debabrata Mohanty for a ₹30,000 bribe, later seizing ₹4 crore cash, gold and property in its biggest haul

Bhubaneswar witnessed the largest cash seizure in Odisha’s vigilance history after officials raided the residence of Debabrata Mohanty, Deputy Director of Mines of Cuttack Circle. The operation followed his arrest earlier in the day for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 from a licensed coal trader.

According to vigilance officials, Mohanty had demanded the bribe to facilitate the smooth operation of a coal depot and to issue transportation permits. Acting on a complaint, the Vigilance Department laid a trap and arrested him. A case was registered at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station, prompting simultaneous raids at three locations: his flat in Bhubaneswar, his parents’ house in Bhadrak district, and his office in Cuttack.

During the search of his Bhubaneswar residence, officials discovered over ₹4 crore in cash concealed in trolley bags and cupboards. This marks the highest cash recovery ever recorded by Odisha Vigilance. The counting process is still underway to determine the exact amount. In addition, ₹1.20 lakh was seized from his office drawer.

Investigators also uncovered significant assets, including a two-storey building of approximately 2,400 square feet near Pahala in Bhubaneswar, along with 130 grams of gold jewellery and other properties.

Also Read: 10 lakh e-khata certificates to be distributed in April: Karnataka govt announces special drive

Records show that Mohanty, born in 1968, joined government service in 2004 as a Junior Mining Officer in Balangir with a salary of ₹8,000. Over the years, he served in Baripada, Berhampur, Cuttack, and the state headquarters in Bhubaneswar before being promoted to Assistant Mining Officer in 2018. He later held postings in Sambalpur and Phulbani, covering multiple districts. On January 7, 2026, he assumed charge as Deputy Director of Mines of Cuttack Circle, overseeing Cuttack and Kendrapara districts.

The Vigilance Directorate has initiated proceedings to present Mohanty before the Special Vigilance Court in Bhubaneswar. The case has drawn attention not only for the bribe trap but also for exposing the scale of hidden wealth accumulated by a senior mining officer, underscoring systemic corruption in the sector.

Also Read: AI-powered cyber security hub: BESCOM’s ₹30 crore shield to protect Karnataka’s power network