Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance Director Debasis Panigrahi succumbed to COVID-19 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata, today.

The 1991 batch IPS officer breathed his last at around 10.15 pm tonight.

The official was airlifted to the healthcare facility in the neighbouring state on June 8 as he required ECMO support after deterioration of his health condition. He had developed complications, including inflammation of lungs.

Panigrahi was initially admitted to the Ashwini COVID Hospital, Cuttack on May 29.

Born on August 29, 1965 in Balasore, Panigrahi graduated in Political Science and did MPhil from JNU and later PhD.

He was quite famous in bureaucratic circle for his literary works.

He assumed office as Director Vigilance in October 2017.