SC orders CBI probe into Barabati Stadium land encroachment

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Apr 3:

In a major jolt to former Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) Secretary Asirbad Behera, the Supreme Court in a significant verdict today ordered a CBI inquiry into the Barabati Stadium land encroachment case.

The division bench of the apex court comprising of Justices Deepak Mishra and PC Pant on the basis of the Accountant General’s report ordered for CBI inquiry into the income-expenditure account of Barabati Palace (marriage hall) and allotment of 23 shops adjacent to it.

The Supreme Court in a further stringent order has barred Behera from contesting for any post of the OOA.

Behera in his initial reaction to the media on the Supreme Court order said: “Supreme Court is the highest court of the country. We had moved the Supreme Court in the matter though we are yet to receive the order we welcome it. We accept it. We will take our next step after we discuss the order among ourselves. I accept the decision of the highest court with utmost respect.”

“When the matter was being adjudicated by the court, though it had directed me to only stay away but I had not contested elections. I have no intentions of contesting elections in the future. I also respect the Supreme Court’s order in this connection,” Behera said on the apex court’s decision barring him from contesting OOA elections.