Odisha engineer ‘jumps off terrace’ after vigilance raids his home, assets worth crores found

An engineer working with the Odisha government’s rural water supply wing allegedly tried to escape by jumping off the roof after the state vigilance sleuths knocked on his doors Thursday. According to sources, investigators are probing allegations of disproportionate assets.

The engineer, Sunil Kumar Padhy, while taken away by the officers, said he neither fled nor hid anywhere. Padhy, who is currently posted as assistant engineer, rural water supply and sanitation, Bhubaneswar division, said he will cooperate with vigilance officials.

In a statement, the vigilance department said a three-storey building with a market value of Rs 1.10 crore, five plots in different locations, a market complex in his native village, bank deposits of Rs 57 lakh, cash of over Rs 4 lakh, a four-wheeler, 24 bank accounts and other assets had been unearthed during the searches, which continued for more than 16 hours.