The state vigilance department detained Odisha water resources superintending engineer Prasanjit Das after recovering ₹21.89 lakh in cash.
Vigilance officers intercepted Das near AG Square in Bhubaneswar late Friday night following a tip-off about bribe collections from contractors.
Authorities seized ₹7.29 lakh from his vehicle and an additional ₹14.60 lakh during a subsequent search of his rented flat in Bhubaneswar.