DA Case Against IFS Officer Abhay Pathak: Vigilance Constitutes 20-Member SIT

Bhubaneswar: The Vigilance department on Saturday formed a 20-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the alleged possession of disproportionate assets by arrested IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak.

Both Pathak and his son Akash were remanded to judicial custody till December 9 following their arrests on Friday. Odisha government has also suspended Pathak from service.

The Vigilance department said that the SIT has drawn up special strategy to conduct further probe into the disproportionate assets case against the IFS officer. Notices under section 160 of CrPC will be issued to people acquainted with facts and circumstances of the case to appear before the Vigilance department.

Sources said several bank officers, forest department officials, relatives and other staff working with Pathak would be served notices to appear before the vigilance and record their statements.

“The firms from where high-end cars were purchased by Pathak will also be examined. The sources of assets and investment channels are also being probed. Assistance of State Forensic Laboratory is also being requisitioned,” the Vigilance said in a statement.

IFS officer Abhay Pathak DA case: The SIT will also grill the relatives, employees & associates of the IFS officer apart from the officials of the car company from where he brought the high-end cars #Odisha

— OTV (@otvnews) November 28, 2020

Pathak, a 1987-batch IFS officer, currently serving as the Additional PCCF, Plan, Programme and Afforestation in Odisha, was under vigilance glare for leading a lavish lifestyle and amassing massive wealth.

Vigilance officials informed that during preliminary investigation, Pathak was found to be in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 9,35,42, 594 beyond his known sources of income (435% of his known source of income).