In addition to various Behera’s palatial buildings, the investigators also traced gold ornaments weighing 341 gm and deposits to the tune of Rs 45 lakh. The Vigilance officials also confiscated Rs 2 crore cash from Behera’s bank lockers and Rs 2 lakh from his Patia residence.
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.
The Odisha Congress has moved to disqualify three MLAs, including rising star Sofia Firdous, for cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls. The move follows their defiance of a party whip, which led to a victory for BJP-backed candidate Dilip Ray.