More Trouble For Pradeep Panigrahi: Odisha Lokayukta Refers Graft Probe to Vigilance

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Lokayukta on Friday directed the State Vigilance Directorate to probe the corruption charges against arrested MLA Pradeep Panigrahi.

The Lokayukta has asked the Vigilance Directorate to submit report in two months time.

The direction of the Lokayukta comes after it accepted the recommendation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for a probe into the corruption charges leveled against the legislator on December 7.

This is the first corruption allegation referred by the Odisha Government to the Lokayukta after its creation.

On December 3, the CID Crime Branch of Odisha police had arrested Panigarhi in connection with a case of cheating.

It is alleged that Panigrahi had collected money on behalf of Akash Kumar Pathak by falsely promising jobs in Tata Motors to people. The case relates to impersonation, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and other cyber offences by Akash, posing himself as in charge Managing Director of Tata Motors passenger car division, read a statement of the police.

On  November 29, Naveen had expelled Panigrahi from the primary membership of the party for “anti-people activities”.