In an incident straight out of a movie script, Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar witnessed a dramatic scene when a senior government engineer allegedly attempted to dispose of illicit wealth by throwing bundles of cash out of his apartment window during a raid. The man in question, Baikuntha Nath Sarangi, is a Chief Engineer in the State’s Rural Development Department. A massive operation by the vigilance department led to the recovery of over Rs 2.1 crore in unaccounted cash.
The viral video from the raid shows currency notes raining down as stunned onlookers recorded the moment. Mr. Sarangi reportedly panicked as officers arrived at his residence in Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, and flung several bundles of Rs 500 notes out the window. These were later collected by officers in the presence of official witnesses.
According to vigilance authorities, raids were conducted at seven locations connected to Sarangi, including residences in Angul, Bhubaneswar, Puri, his paternal home, and even the house of a relative. The cash haul included Rs 1.1 crore from his Angul home and another Rs 1 crore from the Bhubaneswar flat. Officers also found a variety of lower denomination notes, including Rs 200, Rs 100, and Rs 50.
The operation was part of a wider probe into alleged possession of disproportionate assets. A specialized team of 26 officers, including eight DSPs and twelve inspectors, carried out the synchronized searches at his known properties and office premises. The counting of cash is ongoing, and investigators are likely to uncover additional evidence related to asset accumulation beyond declared income sources.
The dramatic visuals of notes flying out of windows and officers counting large stacks of cash have ignited discussions online and offline about corruption in the public sector. The government has promised strict action if the allegations are confirmed. Authorities are expected to release further details once the cash counting and documentation process is complete. The case has reinforced concerns over entrenched corruption in infrastructure departments and is being closely monitored across the state.
