The Vigilance police on Sunday carried out raids at 15 places in the State in connection with allegation against Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy regarding possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The anti-corruption agency said the legislator has amassed disproportionate assets worth Rs 5.05 crore. “On the allegation of possession of disproportionate assets by Dr Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy, a secret verification was conducted by Odisha Vigilance. On completion of the secret verification, as material was found regarding possession of disproportionate assets by Dr Panigrahy, a complaint was filed before the Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar on 9.12.2020.
Finding material in the said complaint that Dr Panigrahy had amassed assets disproportionate to known sources of income by resorting to corrupt practices, the Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar vide order dated 11.12.2020 directed Odisha Vigilance to conduct an inquiry against Dr Panigrahy,” the Vigilance said in a Press release.
Accordingly, an inquiry was conducted which revealed that Dr Panigrahy had intentionally enriched himself illicitly during his incumbency as a public servant from May 24, 2009 to November 30, 2020 and was found in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 5,05,04,656. The probe report was submitted to the Lokayukta on May 28, 2021, the release said. “The Lokayukta, after minutely examining the report and reply filed by Dr Panigrahy, found that there existed a prima-facie case against Dr Panigrahy for an offence under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 as amended by Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2018, and directed the Odisha Vigilance to carry out investigation in the matter.Accordingly, the Vigilance has registered a case dated 4.10.2021 for detailed investigation,” the release added.
The Lokayukta has authorised the Investigating Officer to conduct searches in the case. Accordingly, simultaneous searches were conducted at 15 different places of Dr Panigrahy, his relatives and associates for the purpose of investigation.
