Bhubaneswar: A Vigilance team conducted raids at the residence of Assistant Engineer Ashok Kumar Panda, R&B Division-III, Bhubaneswar, and unearthed disproportionate assets worth crores.
The search was initiated following an inquiry into the possession of disproportionate assets by Panda’s colleague, Raja Kishore Jena.
A dramatic scene unfolded on July 29, 2025, when a Vigilance search team arrived at the residence of Panda, located at Flat No H-164, 16th Floor, Tower-H, Cosmopolis in Bhubaneswar.
To their surprise, the team found the apartment locked from the outside, and Panda’s mobile phone was switched off, making it impossible to contact him.
However, when the Vigilance team returned to seal the flat later that night, they were astonished to discover that Panda and his entire family, including his wife, son, and daughter, were hiding inside the flat. It seemed they had locked the door from the outside to create the illusion of an empty apartment. As the team prepared to seal the flat, Panda finally emerged, opening the door from the inside. This unusual attempt to evade the authorities has raised questions about Panda’s intentions.
During the search, the team found that Panda had thrown a bag out of the window containing cash, gold ornaments, silver coins, and important documents.
The bag was recovered in the presence of witnesses, and the following was recovered from the same
- Cash of Rs 1,00,000/-
- Silver coin weighing about 10gm.
- Gold ornaments weighing about 60gm.
- Original ROR
- Apple I-phone of Panda.
- Vehicle key and other papers
Besides, other assets unearthed so far include:
- Two shops at Utkal Kanika Galleria and Symphony Mall
- A four-storied building at Somnath Nagar
- A three-storied building at Dumduma Housing Board Colony
- A flat at Cosmopolis
- A Volkswagen Polo car
- Postal deposits worth Rs. 17 lakh
The Vigilance team is conducting further investigation into the matter to determine the extent of Panda’s disproportionate assets.
