The Special Vigilance Court, Bhubaneswar on Wednesday framed charges against Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy, MLA, Gopalpur Assembly constituency and his spouse to in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case filed against them by the Odisha Vigilance.

It may be noted here that on 20 April last year, the Odisha Vigilance had filed a charge-sheet before the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar in a disproportionate assets case registered against Panigrahy and his spouse.

Three-time MLA and former minister Panigrahy, once the blue-eyed boy of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, was arrested on 4 December 2021 for allegedly defrauding people while promising them jobs. The ruling BJD had earlier expelled Panigrahy from the party on the charge of perpetrating anti-people activities.

The case was registered under Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1) (b) /12 Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988 as amended by PC. (Amendment) Act, 2018 on the orders of Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar for possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income by Panigrahy during his tenure as a public servant, said the Vigilance directorate.

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, Panigrahy 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 Lokayukta in 2022.

After examining the Investigation Report, the Lokayukta on 20 April 2023 ordered for submission of a charge-sheet against Panigrahy and his spouse before the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.

Accordingly, a 3000-page chargesheet has been filed in the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar documenting detailed evidence against the accused persons for standing their trial in the Court of law.

Accordingly, the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, took cognizance and framed charges today for commencement of the trial, the directorate concluded.