Kendrapada: Odisha Vigilance officials on Saturday intercepted the office vehicle of Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Drainage Division in Kendrapada, Anupama Sahoo, and seized ₹3.15 lakh in cash suspected to be illicit.

According to Vigilance sources, Sahoo failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the cash, following which the amount and the vehicle were seized.

The interception was carried out based on reliable information that Sahoo was allegedly collecting bribes from contractors for clearing pending bills. She was intercepted at Marshaghai Crossing on NH-53A while travelling from her office to her residence at Nayanvihar in Kendrapada in the official vehicle bearing registration number OD-29-S-6644.

Following the seizure, Vigilance officials launched searches at Sahoo’s office and residential premises to investigate the possibility of accumulation of disproportionate assets.

Sahoo is being questioned further to ascertain the source of the seized cash and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe collection.

During houe searches ₹4 lakh more cash was recovered from her Kendrapara residence. With this the total cash recovery comes to ₹7,15,000.

Searches continuing.