Odisha Lokayukta Asks Vigilance Directorate to Conduct Preliminary Inquiry against Pradeep Panigrahi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Lokayukta today asked the State Vigilance Directorate to conduct a preliminary inquiry against disgraced Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi and submit a report within two months.

By exercising powers conferred under section 20 (1) of the Odisha Lokayukta Act, 2014, the anti-corruption ombudsman has directed the Directorate of Vigilance, Odisha, Cuttack to conduct a preliminary inquiry against Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi and submit the report within two months.

Earlier today, the Lokayukta has accepted the recommendation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for conducting probe into the corruption charges against controversial Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi.

On December 3, Crime Branch had arrested Panigrahi for his alleged complicity in the job fraud charges against Akash Pathak, the son of suspended IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak.

The controversial MLA was arrested under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 469, 471, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 66C/66D of IT Act.