In a significant anti-corruption operation, Odisha Vigilance authorities conducted simultaneous raids on May 31, 2025, targeting four properties linked to N. Dillip Kumar Choudhury, an Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Division-1 in Brahmapur, over allegations of possessing disproportionate assets. The raids covered a two-bedroom flat in Dharamnagar, Brahmapur, a double-storeyed house in Mayuri Vihar, Brahmapur, Choudhury’s official office in Brahmapur, and a three-bedroom flat in Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar. During the operation, gold and silver ornaments were seized from the Dharamnagar flat. The raids, executed by a team comprising three Deputy Superintendents of Police and seven Inspectors, were authorized by search warrants from the Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur. Notably, the timing of the raids, just before Choudhury’s retirement, suggests a strategic move by Vigilance based on credible intelligence about his alleged accumulation of wealth beyond his known income sources.
This crackdown follows a similar high-profile case involving Baikuntha Nath Sarangi, a Chief Engineer in the Rural Development Department, who was raided the previous day, also on the eve of his retirement. In Sarangi’s case, Vigilance searched seven properties, recovering over ₹2 crore in cash from his Bhubaneswar and Angul residences. During those raids, Sarangi reportedly attempted to dispose of evidence by throwing bundles of ₹500 notes out of his Bhubaneswar flat window, an incident that drew significant attention. Additionally, investigators uncovered substantial investments in insurance and the stock market worth ₹2.7 crore, along with properties including two houses, two flats, and seven high-value plots across Bhubaneswar, Angul, and Puri. The sheer volume of cash and assets in Sarangi’s case posed challenges for the Vigilance team in tallying his wealth.
Both cases underscore Odisha Vigilance’s intensified efforts to target government officials suspected of amassing illicit wealth, particularly as they approach retirement. The operations against Choudhury and Sarangi highlight a broader anti-corruption drive, with ongoing investigations to determine the full extent of their assets and the sources of their wealth. The discovery of significant properties, including a 2400-square-foot double-storeyed building and multiple flats in Choudhury’s name, along with 11 plots across Berhampur and nearby areas, has raised questions about systemic corruption within the state’s bureaucratic circles. As the Vigilance Department continues its probe, these cases are likely to fuel public and legal discussions on transparency and accountability in governance.
