Odisha Court Rejects Bail Plea Of Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi

Bhubaneswar: The Additional District and Sessions Court, Bhubaneswar, on Monday rejected the bail plea of Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi.

Arguing in favour of the MLA, his counsel Pitambar Acharya told the court that as there is no complaint lodged against Panigrahi, he should be granted the bail.

However, public prosecutor on behalf of the Crime Branch said the MLA will tamper evidence if he is granted bail. After hearing both the counsels, the court gave its judgment.

Earlier, Bhubaneswar SDJM Court had denied bail to the MLA.

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

In a statement police said evidence has come to light that Panigrahi collected money on behalf of one Akash Kumar Pathak falsely promising jobs in Tata Motors to people. This 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, the statement read.

Panigrahi has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days at the Jharpada Special Jail in Bhubaneswar.