Pradeep Panigrahi in Vigilance Scanner

Bhubaneswar (Reporters Today Bureau): The Odisha Vigilance today carried out raids at 15 places in connection with allegation against Gopalpur legislator Pradeep Panigrahi regarding possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The anti-corruption agency said the legislator had amassed disproportionate assets worth Rs 5.05 crore.

“On the allegation of possession of disproportionate assets by Dr. Pradeep Panigrahi, a secret verification was conducted by Odisha Vigilance. On completion of the secret verification, as material was found regarding possession of disproportionate assets by Pradeep , a complaint was filed before the Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar on 9.12.2020. Finding material in the said complaint that Dr. Panigrahy had amassed assets disproportionate to known sources of income by resorting to corrupt practices, the Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar vide order dated 11.12.2020 directed Odisha Vigilance to conduct an inquiry against Pradeep Panigrahi,” the Odisha Vigilance said in a press release.

Accordingly, an inquiry was conducted which revealed that Pradeep had intentionally enriched himself illicitly during his incumbency as a public servant from 24.5.2009 to 30.11.2020 and was found in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 5,05,04,656. The probe report was submitted to the Lokayukta, Odisha, Bhubaneswar on 28.5.2021, the release said.