Massive Haul of Assets Unearthed in Raid on Senior Engineer N.V. Harihara Rao

By Sudam Patra

Balasore, Sept 20: Odisha Vigilance officials have uncovered assets worth crores during an ongoing search of properties linked to Sri N.V. Harihara Rao, Chief Engineer in the Office of the Chief Construction Engineer, Rural Works Circle, Balasore.

The extensive raid, which spans 10 locations across Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Balasore, Keonjhar, and Phulbani, has revealed a staggering amount of wealth in the form of cash, properties, gold, and investments.

Key findings from the search include:

Cash seizure Rs 46.45 lakhs in cash was recovered from the house of Rao’s brother-in-law, a government doctor at Berhampur Jail. The source of this massive amount is under investigation.

Immovable properties: 

• A double-storeyed building in Bhabinipur, Berhampur (2100 sq ft). 
• A 3000 sq ft building in Patrapada, Bhubaneswar. 
• A 3-BHK flat in Spectrum Green Apartment, Berhampur (1200 sq ft). 

    Two suspected benami flats in Bhubaneswar (Orchid Residency, Sundarpada) and Berhampur (Swastik Apartment, Baidyanathnagar), with ownership under verification. 

Five high-value homestead plots across Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, and Badagumula in Ganjam district.

Investments: Deposits and investments amounting to over Rs 3.42 crore have been uncovered, including Rs 2.10 crore in bank deposits and insurance policies, and Rs 1.32 crore in stocks and mutual funds.

Valuable assets: Over 500 grams of gold ornaments, 300 grams of silver, and a vehicle were seized during the searches.

The properties and financial holdings were allegedly acquired by Rao and his family members, and the source of this disproportionate wealth is currently being probed. The Vigilance Technical Wing is assessing the value of the assets uncovered.

The raid was initiated based on allegations of possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income. The search operation was carried out by 10 teams, consisting of 11 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 7 inspectors, 11 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), and support staff, under the authority of search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.

The investigation is ongoing, with further searches expected as authorities dig deeper into Rao’s financial dealings.