Bhubaneswar: In a major development, the Odisha Vigilance Department officials have apprehended Jitendra Kumar Behera, Traffic Inspector of Odisha Motor Vehicle Department, Talcher in a disproportionate assets case. According to sources, the Vigilance officials have seized huge amount of cash from him and his close relatives and associates. The seized cash amounts to more than Rs 24 lakhs. Vigilance officials intercepted Jitendra near Balianta when he was going to his village in Astaranga. The Department has also launched a search operation at many places linked to Jitendra.
While Rs 11 lakhs of cash was seized from Jitendra’s possession, subsequent raids were carried out at his rented house at Talcher in Angul and house at Astarang in Puri district. The Vigilance officials found Rs 3.09 lakh in cash and 336 grams gold at his Talcher residence and Rs 10 lakh from his Astarang home. The total cash seizure has been put at around Rs 24.24 lakh which is believed to be ill gotten. Searches are also on at his brother’s house at Paradip. The officer is being questioned to ascertain the sources of the cash recovered so far. He has failed to provide a satisfactory account for the cash recovered from him.