HC seeks status report from CBI on probe against Odisha MLA

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today directed Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to furnish an up-to-date status report on the progress of its probe into the alleged links of BJD MLA from Choudwar- Cuttack Pravat Kumar Biswal with chit fund firm Seashore Group of Companies.

The High Court also sought a report from the CBI on the health condition of the BJD lawmaker since the latter has sought bail on health grounds.

The High Court issued the directives to the central investigating agency while conducting a hearing on the bail plea of the BJD MLA.

The High Court scheduled the next hearing on the matter for November 23.

The BJD lawmaker had moved the High Court for bail on October 3.

Moreover, one Sudhanshu Sekhar Parida has filed a PIL in the High Court on November 1 seeking for an examination of Biswal by a team of specialists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

It may be recalled that Biswal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the wee hours of September 19 from his Mahanadi Vihar residence in Cuttack for his alleged complicity in the Seashore Group chit fund scam.

While the Special CBI Court had granted the central investigating agency a five-day remand of the BJD MLA for further interrogation, the agency produced him in the court on September 22, one day before the completion of the remand period as he complained of sickness.

Biswal, who was sent to Jharpada Special Jail by the court with a direction for examination by doctors at the jail, was admitted to the Capital Hospital after doctors at the jail examined him and recommended for his shifting.

Later on September 25, as the health condition of the BJD lawmaker deteriorated, a panel of doctors comprising of Orthopaedic, Medicine, Surgery and Cardiology specialists treating him at the Capital Hospital recommended for his shifting to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.

He is currently undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital.

The MLA was under scanner over a deal between his wife Laxmi Bilasini Biswal and Seashore Group CMD Prashant Dash over a piece of land measuring 34 gunths at Benapur mouza in Jajpur district.

Dash had paid Rs 25 lakh for the land by cheque in two installments to Laxmi Bilasini in April 2012.

However, Dash had cancelled the deal later and had wanted his money back.

The MLA’s wife has claimed that she had returned the money to Dash by cash and was in possession of an agreement reached between her and Dash on court paper in the matter.

 

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