Vigilance finds 68 plots, 5 buildings & 2 farmhouses with engineer

Bhubaneswar/Koraput: Vigilance officials on Tuesday unearthed extensive landed and immovable assets belonging to Bhawanipatna-based executive engineer Bhubaneswar Sabar (47) during searches in Kalahandi district.

Searches revealed 68 plots of land measuring 65 acres, five multi-storey buildings, and two farmhouse spread on 17 acres registered in the names of Sabar and his family members, vigilance officials stated. Officials also traced a market complex, vehicles, and financial investments, with valuation of the assets currently underway.

Sabar, serving as executive engineer of the roads and building (R&B) sub-division, Dharamgarh, and holding additional charge of the R&B division, Bhawanipatna, came under the scanner following allegations of possessing disproportionate assets.

A special vigilance team comprising six DSPs, eight inspectors, and supporting staff searched his residences, office premises, govt quarters, and properties in Bhawanipatna and Koksara.

Among the major assets detected included 4,500 sq ft double-storey house at Gosanimunda in Bhawanipatna, 2,625 sq ft double-storey house at Kusumkhunti, 4,228 sq ft under-construction building at Koksara, 1,300 sq ft under-construction double-storey structure at Kusumkhunti, market complex with eight cabins at Moter Chhak, spanning 2,214 sq ft.

Officials further reported extensive landholdings in Talabelagaon, Kutenpadar, Moter, Dwarsuni, and Kitpadar, mostly on the outskirts of Bhawanipatna and Koksara.

Apart from immovable assets, vigilance detected an SUV, while bank deposits, postal savings, and other financial investments are still being verified. “The valuation of the buildings, farmhouse, market complex, and landed properties are being carried out by the vigilance technical wing,” a release stated, adding that searches are on.

Sabar joined govt service on July 1, 1999 as a junior engineer in the R&B Division, Koraput, with an initial salary of Rs 6,000 per month. He was promoted to assistant engineer in 2013, assistant executive engineer in 2016, and finally to executive engineer in March 2024. Since Jan 2025, he has also held additional charge of the R&B division, Bhawanipatna.