Overview
- Bidyut Ranjan Bhol, intercepted Tuesday near Sambalpur railway station, was arrested Wednesday under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
- Vigilance officers seized Rs 5.18 lakh from him during the stop, then found Rs 5.41 lakh at his Bhubaneswar flat and Rs 34.81 lakh at his sister's home during coordinated searches.
- Investigators later reported cash totaling about Rs 48.79 lakh, deposits of roughly Rs 30 lakh, and more than 1 kg of gold, with inventories still being tallied.
- The probe began after repeated complaints that the OPHWC official collected money from contractors to clear pending bills, a risk point in an agency that manages police housing projects and contractor payments.
- A case has been registered at the Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station, and the inquiry now looks at the money trail and any contractor links that could disrupt bill processing and ongoing works.