Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance raided houses and the office of Fisheries Deputy Director Basanta Kumar Dash over allegation of misappropriation of huge amount of government funds.

The searches are being conducted simultaneously by Odisha Vigilance teams at five different locations based on the allegation of misappropriation of government funds to the tune of Rs 1.05 Crore.

The Vigilance initiated an inquiry after Basanta Kumar Dash, Deputy Director of Fisheries (Brackish Water), O/o Directorate of Fisheries, Cuttack, allegedly transferred money from a government account to his personal bank account during the financial year 2024-25.

During the probe, it was revealed that the senior official as the Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO) transferred a sum of Rs 1.05 Crore from the government account to his account at the SBI, Puri Branch, and withdrew the amount.

The Vigilance carried out the searches today to unearth documents relating to the alleged misappropriation of government funds, his investments and assets acquired out of the misappropriated amount.

The simultaneous searches are being conducted by 5 teams led by 5 officials in rank of DSP, 4 Inspectors, 9 ASIs and other staff at rented residential house at Sasana Padia in Old Town area in Bhubaneswar, house at Tota Mahavir Lane in Puri, farmhouse at Pilipila in Puri, native village at Govindpur in Bhadrak and his office chamber at Office Of Directorate of Fisheries in Cuttack.

The Vigilance has registered a case against Dash in this connection under sections 13(2)r/w13(1)(a) P.C (Amendment) Act, 2018/409/420 IPC.