Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance has seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 21,88,620 from Prasanjit Das, Superintending Engineer of the Mahanadi Northern Division at Jagatpur in Kataka (Cuttack), following a late-night interception and subsequent searches at two locations.

According to Vigilance officials, Das was intercepted near AG Square in Bhubaneswar late Friday night while travelling in his officially hired Bolero vehicle. Acting on a tip-off regarding the alleged collection of bribes from contractors, the officials searched the vehicle and recovered suspected ill-gotten cash of Rs 7,28,620 from his possession.

Following the interception, simultaneous searches were conducted early Saturday at his rented flat, D-401, Trident Galaxy, Ghatikia, in Bhubaneswar and his paternal house in Baragada.

During the search of his rented flat, Vigilance officials recovered an additional Rs 14.60 lakh in cash, taking the total seizure to Rs 21,88,620.

As Das allegedly failed to satisfactorily account for the source of the substantial cash recovered, the entire amount was seized, officials said. He has been detained and is being interrogated to ascertain the source of the money.

In connection with the case, Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station Case No. 24, dated October 16, 2026, has been registered under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.

The case is under investigation, and further details are awaited.