Bhubaneswar, January 31: The Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar on Wednesday framed charges against Gopalpur MLA Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy and his wife Sujata Panigrahi to commence trial in the disproportionate assets case filed against them by Odisha Vigilance, said an official release.
Charges were framed for possession of Disproportionate Assets (DA) worth Rs 9.18 crore.
According to a Vigilance communiqué, the Odisha Vigilance had filed a charge sheet before the court in a disproportionate assets case registered against the MLA and his wife On on April 20, 2023.
“The case was registered vide Vigilance Cell PS Case No. 06 dt: 4.10.2021 u/s 13(2) r/w 13(1) (b) /12 PC Act, 1988 as amended by P.C. (Amendment) Act, 2018 on the orders of Hon’ble Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar for possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income by Dr. Panigrahy during his tenure as a public servant,” it stated.
“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 on 9.6.2022,” it added.
After examining the Investigation Report, the Lokayukta on April 20, 2023 ordered for submission of chargesheet against Panigrahy and his spouse before the Special Judge, Special Court, Vigilance, Bhubaneswar, the communique stated.
Accordingly, a 3000-page chargesheet has been filed documenting detailed evidence against the accused persons for standing their trial in the Court of law.
Accordingly, the Special Court took cognizance on April 22, 2023 and framed charges on Wednesday to commence the trial, it further stated.
