Odisha: Power official held in disproportionate assets case

An official of a power utility company was arrested in Odishas Keonjhar district for allegedly possessing disproportionate assets worth over Rs 2 crore, according to the Vigilance Directorate.

An official of a power utility company was arrested in Odisha's Keonjhar district for allegedly possessing disproportionate assets worth over Rs 2 crore, according to the Vigilance Directorate. Searches were conducted by the Balasore Vigilance Division on Tuesday at the house of Maheswar Sethy, the sub-division officer of Tata Power Northern Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPNODL) meter-relay testing (electrical), the directorate said.

TPNODL is a joint venture between the Odisha government and Tata Power, which holds a majority stake of 51 percent.

There were allegations that Sethy possessed assets disproportionate to the known sources of income. Movable and immovable properties of over Rs 2.57 crore were unearthed during the searches, the Vigilance Directorate said in a statement on Thursday.

A case was lodged under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, following which he was arrested on Wednesday, it said.

He was produced at a vigilance court, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.