68 plots, 5 buildings, 2 farmhouses: Odisha Vigilance uncovers massive assets linked to a government engineer

Odisha vigilance raid executive engineer assets
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The Odisha Vigilance officials on Tuesday, 19th May, uncovered a huge amount of landed and immovable assets linked to Bhawanipatna-based executive engineer Bhubaneswar Sabar (47) during searches carried out in Kalahandi district of Odisha.

According to officials, the searches revealed a large network of properties including 68 plots of land spread over around 65 acres, five multi-storey buildings, and two farmhouses covering nearly 17 acres. These properties are registered in the names of Sabar and his family members. Authorities also traced a market complex, vehicles, and several financial investments, while the total valuation of assets is still being assessed.

Action after disproportionate assets complaint 

Sabar, who was working as the executive engineer of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) sub-division in Dharamgarh and also held additional charge of the R&B division in Bhawanipatna, came under the vigilance radar following allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

A special vigilance team, which included six Deputy Superintendents of Police, eight inspectors, and supporting staff, conducted simultaneous raids at his residences, office, government quarters, and multiple properties located in Bhawanipatna and Koksara.

Buildings, farmhouses and large bank traced 

The Press Release detailed several major properties recovered during the search. These include a double-storey building of about 5,225 sq ft at Gosanimunda in Bhawanipatna town, another building measuring 2,625 sq ft at Kusumkhunti in Koksara, and an under-construction double-storey building of around 4,228 sq ft at Moter Chhak in Koksara. Another partially constructed building of 1,300 sq ft was also found in Kusumkhunti.

In addition, a building of 1,180 sq ft with a sewerage tank and borewell was traced at Dwarasuni. Officials also found a market complex with eight shop units covering 2,214 sq ft at Moter Chhak. Two farmhouses spread over 16.93 acres were also discovered near Kitpadar on the outskirts of Bhawanipatna, where mango, coconut, and palm plantations were found.

The investigation further revealed 68 plots of land totalling about 65.365 acres spread across Bhawanipatna, Koksara, and Nabarangpur regions. Large portions of land were also traced in areas like Talabelagaon, Kutenpadar, Moter, Dwarsuni, and Kitpadar.

Cash, vehicles and financial assets under review 

Apart from immovable property, vigilance officials also recovered bank deposits of around ₹10.72 lakh, a Hyundai Creta car, and cash, along with household items valued at approximately ₹19.78 lakh. An SUV and other financial investments, including postal savings, are also under verification.

A vigilance statement said, “The valuation of the buildings, farmhouse, market complex, and landed properties is being carried out by the vigilance technical wing.” Officials added that investigations are still ongoing to trace the full extent of assets and determine their source.

Officials also noted Sabar’s career trajectory. He joined government service on 1st July 1999 as a junior engineer in the R&B Division at Koraput with a monthly salary of ₹6,000. He was later promoted to assistant engineer in 2013, assistant executive engineer in 2016, and finally became executive engineer in March 2024. Since January 2025, he has also been holding an additional charge of the R&B division in Bhawanipatna.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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