Bhubaneswar: A Sarpanch in Odisha’s Kalahandi district was today arrested by the Vigilance department following the seizure of uncounted cash to the tune of Rs 5.4 lakh from his possession.

Dinesh Kumar Rout, the Sarpanch of Brundabahal panchayat under Golamunda block in Kalahandi, was caught by the Vigilance department with the unaccounted cash yesterday.

The Vigilance sleuths had intercepted Rout on his way back to home from the block headquarters in a four-wheeler (Bolero with Registration no. OD-08-C-5335) and found Rs 5.4 lakh in cash from his possession.

The Vigilance sleuths seized the money after Rout could not give proper account for it. They also seized his Bolero vehicle.

It is suspected that Rout had collected the money as commission from contractors executing various developmental projects in his panchayat.

Soon after the seizure, the Vigilance sleuths had conducted simultaneous searches at Rout’s house and shop at Brundabahal to find out any disproportionate assets.

The Vigilance department has registered a case in this regard under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.