ED launches probe against MLA Pradeep Panigrahi
ED launches probe against MLA Pradeep Panigrahi
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Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation into money laundering charges levelled against Odisha legislator and former BJD leader Pradeep Panigrahi.
According to sources, the ED has asked the Berhampur Superintendent of Police to furnish information about the cases filed against Panigrahi, retired IFS officer Abhaya Kant Pathak, and his son Akash Pathak.
SP Berhampur Saravana Vivek M was cited in the media as saying that the ED would be given details of the cases filed against the three in the police district.
Panigrahi and others have been charged in five separate cases, one in Baidyanathpur and four in Golanthara.
It should be remembered that the ED quizzed the Gopalpur legislator's wife Sujata Panigrahi and daughter Shruti Panigrahi last month in connection with various financial transactions.
Panigrahi, a former Odisha minister, was not immediately available for comment.
Panigrahi was arrested in December 2020 by the CID-Crime Branch for his alleged involvement in a job fraud case. In November 2020, he was dismissed from the BJD's core membership. The politician was granted bail in June 2021.
Panigrahi was accused of defrauding young people by falsely promising them work in a private corporation. He allegedly took money from job seekers with the promise of providing employment in the organisation.
The MLA was accused of collecting money on behalf of Akash Pathak, Abhaya Pathak's son, on the false promise of jobs.
The state administration forced Abhaya Pathak to quit because to corruption allegations.
