Odisha vigilance has seized cash amounting to Rs 37.27 lakh from the possession of a police inspector.

The inspector, Susanta Satpathy, is currently posted at Boipariguda police station in Koraput district.

Following a tip-off that the police officer was travelling in a bus from Jeypore town in Koraput district to his permanent residence at Cuttack carrying the ill-gotten cash, the vigilance laid a trap.

The bus was intercepted midway by the vigilance sleuths.

The officer was found to have Rs 2.70 lakh in his possession. As he was not able to give satisfactory answers to the queries of the vigilance officials, he was detained.

Later a probe was initiated against him.

Following a search operation at different locations, the vigilance on Tuesday found Rs 1.80 lakh from his officer chamber, Rs 3 lakh from his official quarter at Boipariguda police station and Rs 29.77 lakh from his government quarter at Cuttack.

“So far, Rs 37.27 lakh in cash has been seized,” said a media release issued by the vigilance.

The vigilance further said: “Searches are still continuing. He has been detained at the Jeypore vigilance office and is being examined in connection with the cash recoveries.”

Sources said the vigilance is investigating whether Satpathy accumulated such huge money through bribes that he might have got from the illegal ganja (opium) traders.

Ganja smuggling is a flourishing business in Koraput and other adjoining tribal pockets of the district.

“Besides, vigilance will also launch a probe to find whether the concerned police inspector is in touch with the Maoist groups active in the tribal pockets of the area,” the source said.

In a related development, the police on Monday seized 128kg of the illegal contraband (ganja) in Koraput district and arrested one person in this connection.

Ratna Bhandar

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday began the laser scanning of the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ or the treasury of the Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri to ascertain its structural stability, reports PTI.

A 15-member team of the ASI along with equipment entered the temple premises and started the process.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has allowed the ASI to conduct laser scanning of the outer wall of the ‘Ratna Bhandar’ as well as its northern wall.