Vigilance Court In Bhubaneswar Frames Charges In DA Case Against MLA Pradeep Panigrahy

Bhubaneswar: The Special Court, Vigilance in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday framed charges against Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy and his spouse to commence trial in the disproportionate assets case filed against them by Odisha Vigilance.

The Vigilance had filed charge sheet before the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar in a disproportionate assets case registered against Panigrahy and his spouse on April 20, 2023, a press release from Vigilance Directorate, Cuttack on Tuesday stated.

The case was registered under PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 on the orders of Odisha Lokayukta for possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income by Panigrahy during his tenure as a public servant.

During the course of investigation, house searches were conducted and relevant materials, documents and information relating to assets, income and expenditure were collected. After completion of investigation, Panigrahy was found in possession of assets to the tune of Rs 9,18,13,007 which he could not explain satisfactorily.

His wife was also found liable for abetting the offence. Accordingly, the investigation report was filed before the Lokayukta on June 9, 2022.

After examining the investigation report, the Lokayukta on April 20, 2023 ordered for submission of chargesheet against Panigrahy and his wife before the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.

Accordingly, a 3000-page chargesheet has been filed in the Special Court, Vigilance documenting detailed evidence against the accused persons for standing their trial. The Special Judge framed charges on Tuesday to commence the trial.