MLA Pradeep Panigrahi appears in court in connection with 5 cases

Gopalpur MLA, Pradeep Panigrahi appeared before a Berhampur court on Wednesday in connection with five cases registered against him.

Abhay Pathak and his son Akash Pathak also appeared before the court.

Panigrahi had filed a discharge petition in one of the five cases registered at Golanthara Police Station in connection with an alleged cheating incident.

Speaking about the case, Panigrahi’s lawyer, Deepak Patnaik said, “Abhay Pathak had two cases, Akash Pathak had three cases and Pradeep Panigrahi had five against him. The court had asked to frame the charges in one of the cases involving three of them. However, Pradeep Panigrahi has prayed to the court to discharge him from this case, which was heard today. The Public Prosecutor sought time to study the case before presenting a counter case against the accused.”

“The hearing will be done on a later date after the representation of the prosecutor. The Pathak duo and Panigrahi appeared before the court today and were granted bail in all the five cases,” he said.

The Odisha Vigilance Department on April 22 had filed a 3000-page charge sheet against Pradeep Panigrahi and his wife Sujata Panigrahi in disproportionate assets (DA) case.

The Gopalpur MLA was arrested on charges of forgery, criminal conspiracy, and other cyber offenses on December 3, 2020. Following Panigrahi's arrest, he was expelled by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

He was released from Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar on June 12, 2021, after he was granted bail by the Orissa High Court in connection with the ‘TATA Motors job fraud’ case registered at the Golanthara police station in Ganjam district.