Court Likely To Hear MLA Pradeep Panigrahi’s Bail Plea Today

Bhubaneswar: The Khordha District and Sessions Judge Court is likely to hear the bail petition filed by expelled BJD MLA from Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi on Monday. Panigrahi was arrested by Crime Branch on multiple charges of forgery, cheating, conspiracy and his alleged links with the disproportionate assets case of IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak and his son Akash Pathak.

Earlier on December 3, Panigrahi was produced before the Bhubaneswar SDJM Court and later sent to a 14-day judicial custody after the court rejected his bail plea. He was then sent to Jharpada jail.

Panigrahi had moved to the District and Sessions Judge Court following the rejection of his bail application by Bhubaneswar SDJM Court.

According to sources, Crime Branch is likely to seek court’s permission to take Abhay and Akash on remand for the second time to question them further.

Panigrahi had allegedly collected money from people on behalf of Akash on the false promise of providing them jobs in Tata company. Akash had impersonated himself as the MD (I/C), Tata Motors Limited, Passenger Vehicle Division, Pune

Tata Motors Limited had lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch against Akash alleging that he took huge amount of money fraudulently from unemployed youths to provide them jobs in the company.

(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)