Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: President of Bharatiya Vikash Parishad, Surendra Panigrahi, who filed a PIL in Orissa High Court against Mana Trust and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's private secretary, VK Pandian alleged today that he has been receiving threat calls to withdraw his petition.
Panigrahi had filed a PIL accusing Pandian of showing undue favours to Mana Trust during his tenure as Ganjam Collector.
At a presser, Panigrahi said that he has received two threat calls.
"They threatened me to withdraw the case against Pandian or else my family will face the consequences. Even the Ganjam Collector and SP have been directed to book me under NSA, if required," Panigrahi said.
Besides, Panigrahi demanded police protection for his family.
The petitioner in his PIL alleged that the trust was awarded contract to supply cooked food under Aahar scheme in 17 districts and MDM scheme in three districts without any tender. Besides, the trust was provided with a free government building.
The petitioner further alleged, Mana Trust’s chief, Lina Joseph is a close relative of Pandian.
Nine others have also been made party in the PIL which has sought CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities and cancellation of agreement with the concerned trust.