Bhubaneswar: Odisha vigilance directorate has decided to probe frequent foreign visits of retired chief engineer Tara Prasad Mishra, who was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly possessing huge disproportionate assets , including gold, diamond, luxury cars , flats and foreign currencies of eight nations that he had visited. Properties linked to Mishra were searched at different places in the state, including Bhubaneswar, on Monday. Mishra was the chief engineer (roads and buildings-civil).
“We found that he toured the US, UAE, Vietnam, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and Thailand in the past. He visited most of the countries last year. We also found foreign currencies of an insignificant amount from his possession.
We strongly suspect that he availed the foreign trips through unfair means,” a senior vigilance officer said. Even though search operations were over on Monday, the anti-corruption wing has not yet completed the valuation of Mishra’s movable and immovable assets. The sleuths assume that Mishra’s assets may exceed Rs 16 crore.
Mishra was allegedly found in possession of 10 high-value flats (7 in Bhubaneswar and 3 in Jharsuguda), 7 costly plots, 2.5 kg of gold, 370 grams of diamond, deposits of over Rs 2.7 crore, Rs 6 lakh cash and two luxury cars.
Mishra, who retired from govt service in June last year, had joined as an assistant engineer on April 20, 1984 in the office of the chief engineer, (roads and buildings) in Bhubaneswar. He was posted in Dhenkanal,.