According to the Odisha Vigilance department, Pradeep Panigrahi, a member of the Gopalpur Municipality and his wife have been charged with possessing disproportionate assets in a 3000-page charge sheet.
The charge sheet was submitted to the Special Court of Vigilance in Bhubaneswar following an investigation that found Panigrahi had assets disproportionate to Rs 9,18,13,007, the source of which he failed to explain satisfactorily.
On December 20, 2020, Panigrahi was arrested on charges of forgery, criminal conspiracy, and cybercrime, which culminated in his expulsion from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the largest political party in India. In June 2021, the Orissa High Court, which has jurisdiction over the case arising from the ‘TATA Motors job fraud’ investigation, released him on bail after having granted him bail.
The charge sheet filed against Panigrahi and his spouse by the Vigilance department is a major blow to the politician who has faced multiple charges. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the public service, as well as the need to combat corruption. The legal proceedings will now continue in the court, and the final outcome of the case is yet to be determined.