Odisha Vigilance Files 3000-Page Chargesheet Against Pradeep Panigrahi and His Wife in DA Case

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance has filed a 3000-page chargesheet against Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi and his wife in connection with the disproportionate assets case.

The chargesheet mentions that Pradeep Panigrahi possessed disproportionate assets worth Rs 9.18 crore.

According to a Vigilance Department release, the case was registered vide Vigilance Cell PS Case No.06 dated on 4th October 2021 on the orders of the Odisha Lokayukta for possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income by Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi during his tenure as public servant.

During the course of investigation, house searches were conducted and relevant materials, documents and information relating to assets, income and expenditure were collected. After completion of investigation, Panigrahi was found in possession of assets disproportionate to the tune of Rs 9,18,13,007 which he could not explain satisfactorily. His spouse was also found liable for abetting the offence.

Accordingly, the Investigation Report was filed before the Odisha Lokayukta on 9th June 2022, and after examining the Investigation Report, the Lokayukta ordered for submission of the charge sheet against Pradeep Panigrahi and his spouse before the Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar. Accordingly, a 3000-page chargesheet has been filed in the Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, documenting detailed evidence against the accused persons for standing their trial in the Court of law.