Former Chief Engineer arrested for alleged corruption and asset discrepancies

Bhubaneswar, Aug 13: Odisha Vigilance officials today arrested Tara Prasad Mishra, a former Chief Engineer in the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department, for allegedly amassing assets worth over Rs 16 crore that are disproportionate to his known income.

Mishra was found to possess 10 high-value flats in Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda, seven plots of land, gold ornaments weighing 2.555 kg, diamond jewelry totaling 370 grams, and financial deposits amounting to Rs 2.70 crore. Additionally, he had Rs 6 lakh in cash, two luxury vehicles including a Mercedes Benz, and other assets which he could not satisfactorily account for, according to a Vigilance release.

The anti-corruption agency conducted coordinated raids on nine properties associated with Mishra on Monday. The searches revealed foreign currencies from countries such as the USA, Thailand, Vietnam, UAE, Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as branded wristwatches. Mishra had also expended Rs 80 lakh on his daughter’s MBBS and MD education.

Mishra led an opulent lifestyle, traveling extensively to the UAE, Vietnam, the USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and Thailand. Among the items seized were antique artifacts from Southeast Asia displayed in one of his flats.

Mishra's career began on April 20, 1984, as an assistant engineer in Bhubaneswar. Over the years, he served in various capacities including at the Dhenkanal (R&B) sub-division, Bhubaneswar municipality, Charbatia division, Gunupur division, RD Department in Cuttack, and the Quality Control division. Following his promotion to executive engineer, he was assigned to Idco, Bhawanipatna division, and Panikoili division. He was elevated to the position of superintending engineer and later chief engineer in Bhubaneswar, from which he retired in June 2023.