Corrupt PHO doctor’s arrest: CBI may seek further remand to probe Dollar link   

With the remand of Rajendra Narayan Panigrahi, an officer of the Port Health Organisation (PHO), Paradip Port, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the charges of graft on October 12, coming to an end on Monday, he was produced before the CBI court. 

The CBI officials had caught Panigrahi red-handed while he was accepting Rs 54,000 bribe from crew members of the Eminence Shipping Agency. Later, the officials had carried out raids on multiple locations linked to the doctor. 

During raids, the officials unearthed huge moveable and immovable property at Praradip, Balasore, Cuttack, and Hyderabad and seized cash worth Rs 17 lakh, US Dollars worth over Rs 17 lakh, imported liquor and cigarettes, hard disks, and costly gifts from his official residence. Subsequently, he was arrested. 

The CBI had taken Dr Panigrahi on remand for a period of five days for interrogation. With the remand period ending on Monday, he was produced before the CBI court. It is believed that the CBI may seek further remand of Panigrahi for an investigation into his Dollar links. 

On the other hand, Shipping agents and employees on Sunday celebrated the arrest of the tainted doctor by organizing a feast. It suggested that they had been at the end of their tether while dealing with the tainted doctor.