Subhechcha Ganguly 
But what really caught the Vigilance officers off guard was a staggering $1.75 million worth of cryptocurrency.During raids at Chief Engineer Nihar Ranjan Das’s home on Friday, the anti-corruption bureau found assets worth more than Rs 8 crore, shocking disha Vigilance officials. But what really caught the Vigilance officers off guard was a staggering $1.75 million worth of cryptocurrency.
Even though Das, who is currently employed as Additional Chief Engineer of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Bhubaneswar Circle, attempted to throw away the cryptographic documents and his mobile phone through his house window, authorities recovered about 38 documents and Das’s mobile phone, which revealed the startling details.The investigators also acquired Das’ diary, in which he listed all of the specifics of his cryptocurrency investments. This is the first instance in which Odisha Vigilance has taken cryptocurrency from a public servant.
The worth of cryptocurrencies may be considerably higher, according to surveillance officials, and additional information will be known once the inquiry is complete.Bank and insurance deposits totaling Rs 64.42 lakh, Rs 1.07 lakh in cash, gold jewellery worth over Rs 10 lakh, and household goods worth more than Rs 15.55 lakh are among the assets taken from Das. Additionally, two four-wheelers valued at roughly Rs 39 lakh as well as two Royal Enfield bullets priced at Rs 3 lakh were discovered in Das’ possession.Das has amassed a sizable amount of movable and immovable property, including eight plots in Sambalpur valued at Rs 1.27 crore.
Notably, on Friday, the Odisha Vigilance Department conducted simultaneous raids at six sites connected to Nihar Ranjan Das on suspicion of having exorbitant assets. The raids in Khordha, Sambalpur, and Bargarh were carried out by five Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 12 Inspectors, one Sub-Inspector, 11 ASIs, and other staff members, including constables.
These are the six places where the raids are taking place:
1. A residential property at Flat No. 201 in Sriram Mansion, Kharavel Nagar, Bhubaneswar, with a market value of Rs. 32.7 lakh.
2. Sri Das’s three-story (Parental) building at Modipada, Sambalpur
3. Sri Das’s paternal home is in Rohiniyan, PS, District Bargarh.
4. Nihar Ranjan Das’ office at RWS&S, O/o Superintending Engineer, PMDI Circle, Bhubaneswar.
5. Relative’s home, Kharavel Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Plot No. 195.
6. A relative’s home at Khordha, Gandhi Nagar, Sanapalla, and Lalit Bhaban.
