Major Vigilance Raid in Odisha: Key Highlights

• Location & Target:
  • Anti-Corruption Vigilance team conducted a major raid in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
  • Target: Baikunthanath Sarangi, Chief Engineer of the Rural Works Department.
• Seizures Made:
  • Unaccounted cash worth ₹2.1 crore recovered from Sarangi’s residence.
  • Gold, silver, jewellery, and even diamonds also found.
  • Lady officers were seen counting brand-new sarees, suspected to contain hidden valuables.
  • Cash-counting machines reportedly overheated multiple times due to the volume of cash.
• Extent of the Operation:
  • Raids were carried out at 60 locations linked to Sarangi in Bhubaneswar, Angul, and Puri districts.
  • Over 26 officers involved: 8 Deputy SPs, 12 Inspectors, 6 Sub-Inspectors (SIs).
  • Simultaneous raids still ongoing in Noida, Bengaluru, and Patna.
• Notable Incident:
  • As the raid began, Sarangi allegedly threw bundles of ₹500 notes out of his window in panic.
• Political Context & Commentary:
  • The raids come after BJP’s rise to power in Odisha, as part of a broader anti-corruption drive under PM Narendra Modi.
  • Modi government’s ED (Enforcement Directorate) has reportedly seized ₹1.5 lakh crore so far from corrupt individuals.
  • Accusations that 17 political parties (including Congress, AAP, SP, TMC) tried to weaken ED powers by approaching the Supreme Court.
• Reference to Past Cases:
  • TMC’s Partha Chatterjee case: Mountains of cash found at aide Arpita’s house.
  • Akhilesh Yadav’s associate: ₹150 crore recovered.
  • Congress leaders in Jharkhand: Huge sums found in homes of party officials and staff.
• Criticism of Judicial Delays:
  • Strong criticism of how judicial delays allow the corrupt to escape swift justice.
  • Example cited: Arvind Kejriwal, Satyendra Jain cases dragging in court.
  • Call for tougher anti-corruption laws, faster prosecution, and minimum 15–20 years imprisonment for such crimes.
• Public Sentiment:
  • Visuals of cash heaps and luxury items sparked national outrage.
  • General belief: Fear of ED is growing among corrupt officials.
  • Demand that Income Tax and ED actions be strengthened and loopholes closed.

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