Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 28, 2019: Vigilance sleuths have unearthed properties worth over Rs one crore in possession of a gardener working in the Odisha government, allegedly to be disproportionate to his known source of income.

The sleuths raided house of Udhab Behera working as a gardener-cum-horticultural extension worker at office of the Assistant Director, Horticulture, at Udala sub-division in Mayurbhanj district, officials said.

Raids were also conducted at the residences of his relatives in Mayurbhanj and Balasore district, the officials added saying that vigilance officers have detected a three-storey house, 12 plots of land at Badampada village, a poultry farm, three two wheelers, deposits and investments in banks and insurance policies in his possession.

Gold ornaments, over Rs 1.5 lakh in cash and expensive household articles were also recovered, he said.

Search operations were carried out after receiving complaints of disproportionate assets in excess of his known source of income, the officials said adding that an investigation has been initiated against the accused.