Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Odisha vigilance conducted simultaneous searches at five locations linked to Basanta Kumar Dash, Deputy Director of Fisheries, Cuttack, following allegations of misappropriation of government funds to the tune of Rs 1.05 crore.
An inquiry by Vigilance officials revealed that Basanta Kumar Dash, who served as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), allegedly diverted a sum of Rs 1.05 crore from a government account to his personal account at SBI, Puri, and subsequently withdrew and misappropriated the funds for personal gain.
Five teams, led by five DSPs, four inspectors, nine ASIs, and other staff, launched frantic house searches in five locations of the accused Dash to unearth documents relating to the said misappropriation of government money and investments made in assets acquired out of the misappropriated amount.
The locations include:
1. Rented residential house of Basanta Kumar Dash, located at Plot No. 1426/4085, Sasana Padia, Keutasahi, Old Town, Mahatab Road, Bhubaneswar.
2. Another house located in Tota Mahavir Lane, Ward No. 30, Puri district.
3. Farmhouse located at Pilipila, near Goruala, Puri district.
4. Native village of Dash, located at Govindpur, Naikandini, Bhadrak district.
5. Office chamber of Basanta Dash, at the Office of the Directorate of Fisheries, Cuttack district.
In this connection, Odisha Vigilance has registered a case against Dash vide Vigilance Cell PS Case No. 5/20.07.2024 U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) PC (Amendment) Act, 2018/409/420 IPC.
Further details on the matter are awaited.
