Vigilance sleuths under Baleswar division on Friday raided houses of three officers in Bhubaneswar, Baripada and Cuttack, who were posted at Mayurbhanj for the execution of the Subarnarekha irrigation project in 2007-08. There was allegation of their involvement in embezzlement of funds running to crores of rupees while implementing rehabilitation and resettlement for the land oustees. After prima facie evidences, a case was registered against the trio and two of them were placed under suspension, the third one being a retiree.
The officers under scanner were identified as Ashok Pattnaik, Gouranga Mohany, both the then special land acquisition officers, and loknath Saha, the then project director. Saha has retired from service.
“The raids are in progress. We are yet to assess their moveable and immovable properties,” informed Baleswar Vigilance SP Swaroop Nayak.