Odisha Vigilance uncovers massive property empire linked to Civil Supplies Officer

Bhubaneswar, Nov 20: Odisha Vigilance officials conducted raids on Civil Supplies Officer (CSO) Suresh Kumar Panigrahi, based in Sonepur, on charges of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The raids led to the discovery of two buildings, 19 plots, and financial deposits worth Rs 1.72 crore. Additionally, suspicions have been raised regarding benami investments in properties such as a petrol pump, a fly ash factory, and a JCB machine, registered in the names of others.

The raids were carried out by teams led by two Additional SPs, three DSPs, seven inspectors, and other staff, following search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Balangir. These searches were conducted across 11 locations in Bhubaneswar, Balangir, Sonepur, and Bargarh.

Among the assets found in Panigrahi’s name were a double-storey building in Balangir, 19 plots in various districts including Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur, a farmhouse in Bargarh, and a total of Rs 1.72 crore in financial investments, including bank deposits and mutual funds. The officer also owned a Maruti Swift and two two-wheelers, along with Rs 1.49 lakh in cash.

Furthermore, investigations have revealed investments in assets held in the name of Panigrahi's brother, such as a petrol pump, a fly ash factory, and a JCB excavator. The valuation of these assets is ongoing, and a locker at SBI Balangir remains unopened for further examination.