ED Launches Probe Against Odisha MLA Pradeep Panigrahi

Berhampur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a probe into allegations of money laundering against Odisha legislator and former BJD leader Pradeep Panigrahi.

According to reports, the ED has requested the Superintendent of Police of Berhampur to provide details of cases registered against Panigrahi, former IFS officer Abhaya Kant Pathak and his son Akash Pathak.

Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M was quoted by TOI as saying that details of cases registered against the three in the police district will be provided to the ED.

Five cases, one in Baidyanathpur police station and four in Golanthara, have been registered against Panigrahi and others.

It may be noted here that the Gopalpur legislator’s wife Sujata Panigrahi and daughter Shruti Panigrahi were interrogated by the ED last month in connection with certain financial transactions.

Panigrahi, a former Odisha Minister, was not immediately available to comment on the development.

Panigrahi was arrested by the CID-Crime Branch in December, 2020 for his alleged involvement in a job fraud case. He was expelled from BJD’s primary membership in November, 2020. The lawmaker was released on bail in June, 2021.

Panigrahi was accused of cheating youths by making false promises of jobs in a private company. He was allegedly collecting money from job aspirants on promise of providing employment in the company.

It was alleged that the MLA was collecting money on behalf of Akash Pathak, son of  Abhaya Pathak, on false promise of jobs.

Abhaya Pathak was given compulsory retirement by the state government following charges of corruption.