Odisha MLA Pradeep Panigrahi moves HC for bail

Cuttack: Arrested Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi today moved the Orissa High Court seeking bail. His bail pleas were earlier rejected by Special Vigilance Court, Bhubaneswar and Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-3, Bhubaneswar.

He was arrested by the Odisha Crime Branch on December 3 under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 469, 471, 120-B of the IPC and Section 66C/66D of IT Act. Evidence came to light that Panigrahi collected money from people on behalf of Akash Pathak, son of suspended IFS officer Abhay Pathak, on the false promise of providing jobs in Tata company. This case relates to impersonation, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and other cyber offences by Akash Kumar Pathak, the Crime Branch  had earlier said.

On the other hand, accepting recommendation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Lokayukta today directed the State Vigilance Directorate to investigate the corruption allegation levelled against the expelled BJD leader.

The Lokayukta asked the Vigilance to submit a report within two months after the preliminary investigation.

On December 7, the CM had recommended the Lokayukta for a probe into the corruption charges against Panigrahi, who is currently lodged at the Jharpada Special Jail in Bhubaneswar.