Odisha, Sept. 11 -- Acting on a tip- off, the Odisha Vigilance intercepted two auditors of the ST and SC Development Department late last night in Baripada and seized Rs.14,38,340 in suspected ill gotten cash. The accused officials were travelling in an official District Welfare Office (DWO) Scorpio vehicle from the DWO office to their temporary residence at Mohapatra Hotel in Roxy Lane after completing audit work.

During the vehicle interception, vigilance teams recovered Rs.5,51,510 in cash, stashed in 52 separate envelopes and 20 loose bundles, which the occupants failed to explain satisfactorily. A subsequent search of their hotel rooms unearthed an additional Rs.8,86,830, bringing the total seized cash to Rs.14,38,340. The duo is cu...