Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Odisha Vigilance Raids Properties of Two Government Officers
Odisha Vigilance officers searched the properties of government officials.
They were checking whether the officials had more money and property than their known income could explain.
The searches covered seven places in several Odisha districts.
One officer, Bandita Dash, and her associate Somonath Sethy were arrested in a case involving an alleged Rs 35,000 bribe.
Investigators found Rs 5.15 lakh at Dash’s house in Cuttack.
Another officer, Shishir Kumar Dash, was arrested in a separate disproportionate-assets case.
Officials said he had two large buildings, six expensive plots, Rs 82 lakh in deposits and a vehicle.
A case was registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Odisha Vigilance searched seven locations in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Khurda over suspected disproportionate assets.
The searches targeted Umakant Samantaray, assistant director of factories and boilers, and Bandita Dash, an assistant engineer in Badachana block.
Dash and private associate Somonath Sethy were arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe.
Officials recovered Rs 5.15 lakh from Dash’s residential house in Cuttack, while further investigation continued.
Separately, assistant executive engineer Shishir Kumar Dash was arrested after investigators cited buildings, plots, deposits and a vehicle as disproportionate assets.
- Who
- Odisha Vigilance officials; officers Umakant Samantaray, Bandita Dash and Shishir Kumar Dash; and private person Somonath Sethy.
- What
- Vigilance searches and arrests were conducted in alleged disproportionate-assets and bribery cases.
- When
- The searches were reported on Tuesday, September 29; the arrests and related raids involving Dash and Shishir Kumar Dash were reported as occurring on Monday.
- Where
- Searches took place in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Khurda and Cuttack; Shishir Kumar Dash was linked to Mathili block in Malkangiri.
- Why
- Officials were investigating suspected assets beyond known sources of income and an alleged demand for a Rs 35,000 bribe.
- Search locations
- Seven places in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Khurda
- Officers named in searches
- Umakant Samantaray and Bandita Dash
- Alleged bribe
- Rs 35,000
- Cash recovered from Bandita Dash’s house
- Rs 5.15 lakh
- Assets cited in Shishir Kumar Dash case
- Two multi-storeyed buildings, six high-value plots, Rs 82 lakh in deposits and one four-wheeler
- Legal action
- A case was registered against Shishir Kumar Dash at Brahmapur vigilance police station under the Prevention of Corruption Act