The Odisha vigilance on Monday detained the additional commissioner, commercial tax (CT) and GST, Cuttack division, for allegedly accumulating huge properties disproportionate to his known source of income.

In a media release, the vigilance said: “On the allegation of acquisition of disproportionate assents by Piyush Kanta Pani, additional commissioner, CT and GST, Cuttack-1, simultaneous searches are being conducted by Odisha vigilance at his house and office on the strength of search warrants issued by special judge, vigilance, Cuttack.”

In a press release, the vigilance said: “Eleven plots in prime area of Bhubaneswar worth approx Rs 3.70 crore as per Registered Sale Deeds have been unearthed. Besides, a triple storeyed residential building at Chakeisihani, Bhubaneswar, three triple storeyed buildings and one single storeyed building located at Chorda Chowk, Jajpur Road, Jajpur have been unearthed.”

The other properties of Pani included farm house at Andharua in Bhubaneswar, bank and insurance deposits worth Rs 53.63 lakh, 357 grams gold jewellery, six costly four wheelers and a garage single storeyed building at Chakeisihani, Bhubaneswar.

“The measurement and valuation; assessment of the building is being carried out the vigilance technical team,” said the press release. Pani is likely to be arrested on Tuesday after the search operation is over, officials said.

Hirakud mishap

Two employees of the Mahanadi Coalfields drowned while taking a bath in the Hirakud reservoir in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, police said on Monday, reports PTI.

Five employees of the coal firm had gone near the Jhankarani temple on Sunday afternoon. Three of them then went to take a bath in the reservoir, 15 km north of Sambalpur city. On noticing that the three persons were drowning, a boat rushed there and managed to rescue one Abhinesh Ray, an officer said.