Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Sunday arrested Baikuntha Nath Behera, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Baliguda in Kandhamal district, on charges of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The arrest followed extensive searches conducted at properties linked to Behera, during which Vigilance officials unearthed huge movable and immovable assets that he failed to satisfactorily account for.

According to Vigilance, Behera was found in possession of five multi-storeyed buildings with a total built-up area exceeding 20,000 square feet. Of these, four palatial buildings are located in Bhubaneswar. Investigators also detected 14 high-value plots in his possession.

During the raids, officials recovered cash exceeding Rs 2.04 crore, around 500 grams of gold ornaments, and bank deposits worth approximately Rs 45 lakh, among other assets.

Vigilance authorities said another locker operated in the name of Behera's spouse is yet to be opened and examined.

Following the detection of the alleged disproportionate assets, Odisha Vigilance registered a case against him.