By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Vigilance, which had carried out raids at dozen over places to unearth Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy’s corruption empire on Sunday, on Monday, said, it has seized around 1440 grams of gold and a designer necklace worth Rs 24.25 lakh after raid.
Vigilance said during last 23 hours of searches, 1440 gm gold and a branded necklace worth Rs 24.25 lakh were found in the house of MLA Panigrahy and seized. Steps are being taken for their attachment.
Steps are also being taken for freezing of bank accounts of Panigrahy and his family members. The documents found during the searches will be examined by the officers of Financial Wing of Vigilance and Professional CA and Banking Consultants, the anti-corruption agency said.
Cyber Cell of Vigilance will examine all electronic evidences/ documents found during the searches. Examination of witnesses, suspects and accused shall be carried out in due course of time. Further investigation was underway, the Vigilance added.
The Gopalpur MLA had been arrested on charges of forgery, criminal conspiracy and other cyber offences on December 3, 2020. Following Panigrahi’s arrest, he was expelled by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). He was released from Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar on June 12, 2021 after he was granted bail by the Orissa High Court in connection with the ‘TATA Motors job fraud’ case registered at the Golanthara police station in Ganjam district.
