MP Pradeep Panigrahi cleared of all fraud allegations in 5 cases

BJP MP Pradeep Panigrahi has been acquitted of all charges related to alleged job frauds. The Brahmapur Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Rural Court on Wednesday delivered its verdict, exonerating Panigrahi in three cases associated with claims of deceitful job offers in Tata Motors.

This comes a day after Panigrahi, along with Abhay Kant Pathak and his son Akash Pathak, were acquitted in two separate fraud cases. The court dismissed the charges, citing insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims.

Panigrahi faced accusations of defrauding individuals with false promises of employment at Tata Motors in exchange for money. The cases brought against him were amongst several allegations seen in this contentious matter. The recent court decision cleared Panigrahi of these charges, which investigations were found to be unfounded.

Just yesterday, he had been acquitted in two cases after judicial decisions had swung in Panigrahi's favour. Today's verdict further consolidates his acquittal as the remaining three accusations have also been dismissed.

The original allegations stemmed from five complainants who lodged cases with authorities at Golanthara and Baidyanathpur police stations. They claimed to have been misled by promises of job appointments with Tata Motors. Significantly, two complainants retracted their allegations on December 10, with the remaining three following suit on December 18, citing political coercion by BJD for their complaints against Panigrahi. 

Panigrahi had previously been held under these accusations. However, with today’s ruling, he has been formally cleared of all charges, marking a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings surrounding these job fraud allegations.

“He was acquitted in two cases yesterday while the court cleared him of all charges in three cases today. All the complainants approached the court and said that they were not willing to continue with the case. They claimed that an IG along with other police officers threatened them to file false complaints against Panigrahi. They made us sign in the complaint that were originally written by the police officials,” claimed Panigrahi’s lawyer Deepak Pattanayak.

“Due to lack of evidence, the court has acquitted him of all cases. There are no cases against him in the court now,” he added.