Bhubaneswar: The Vigilance has unearthed disproportionate assets worth Rs 6,97,15,057 in possession of ex constable of Commissionerate Police Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Prasanna Kumar Behera.
Reportedly, five teams of Odisha Vigilance led by two DSPs, six Inspectors, and other staff conducted raids at five places associated with Behera on the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.
The raids had been conducted at Behera’s government residential quarter at Kalpana Square, Bhubaneswar; Spark furniture Pvt. Ltd. at Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, Furniture Work Shop at Santha Vihar, Lingipur, Bhubaneswar, South City Bar at Patrapada, Bhubaneswar and a double-storeyed building at his native village Nuapada, Khordha.
After a thorough search, inventory, and enquiry, the income, expenditure, and assets of Behera and his family members were calculated. They were found in possession of DA to the known sources of income to the tune of Rs 6,97,15,057 which constitutes 221% of their known sources of income, added reports.
As Behera and his family members could not account for the disproportionate assets satisfactorily, a case has been registered against him, his spouse and family members at Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station on October 30 under various relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
It is pertinent to mention that Bhubaneswar DCP Uma Shankar Dash on Sunday dismissed Constable Behera from service with immediate effect. He was arrested for operating a bar in Patrapada area illegally by violating the COVID-19 guidelines.
During the investigation of senior journalist Naveen Das’ son Manish Anurag death case, the Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissionerate found that Manish and his friends had been to the South City hotel in Patrapada, which was running till late night in violation of COVID guidelines of the State government.
This apart, a video showing Behera dancing inside the bar had also gone viral following Manish’s death. The Tamando Police Station IIC was also shunted on Friday for dereliction of his duty as the bar comes under the Police Station limits.
Also read: Odisha Vigilance raids properties of Ex-Constable
Ms Kalinga