Pajero row: Odisha BJP demands polygraph test of AT chief

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 12:

In the backdrop of Artha Tatwa (AT) Group chief Pradip Sethi making a volte face in the Sanjay Das Burma-Pajero issue by changing his statement on Monday, the BJP today demanded polygraph test of Sethi, who is an accused in the mega chit fund scam in Odisha.

“Pradip had first stated that he had gifted a Pajero vehicle to Minister Sanjay Das Burma. Now he has changed his statement. What is the mystery behind his change of statement? We demand a probe on who have met Pradip in the jail and in the court in between his two statements. We further demand polygraph (lie detection) test of Pradip to ascertain the truth,” said Sajjan Sharma, spokesperson of the BJP speaking to reporters here today.

“Now the people of Odisha have realized how the ruling party is misusing its position and power to influence people to change their statement in order to shield some criminals. The government machinery is in cahoots with the criminals. One changing his statement repeatedly in such manner clearly speaks of him being pressurized to do so. Pradip’s brother-in-law has been appointed as IIC of Baliapanda police station. He has been posted here to facilitate the change of statement by Pradip. He is working as an intermediary for Sanjay Das Burma. This needs to be probed,” Sharma demanded.

On the other hand, the ruling BJD has called the saffron party’s allegations as ‘politically motivated’.

“Such statement by the BJP is waylaying the process of the probe. The party is attempting to make the government guilty in the eyes of the public. BJP’s allegation is politically motivated, there is no truth in it,” said Amarprasad Satapathy, BJD spokesperson in his reactions on the BJP’s allegations.

Notably, Sethi had made a complete volte face by claiming that “the Pajero issue is the biggest joke of the year” and “the person is innocent” while being taken to a designated court here for production. We had reported here.