By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: Odisha Cadre IFS Officer Abhay K Pathak, his history cheater son Akash Pathak and their patronage BJD’s suspended MLA from Ganjam’s Gopalpur, Pradeep Panigrahy on Tuesday received double jolt with ruling party pressed its most talkative Aul MLA Pratap Deb to counter to the under scanner former Party colleague, with Vigilance Directorate manned by able Director, Debasis Panigrahi and IGP Ghanashyam Upadhaya, added more fuel to fire after the 20-members Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the agency, unearthed deposits of Rs 14.77 crore from the banks accounts of suspended and arrested Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Pathak’s son Akash Pathak during its investigation into a disproportionate assets case.
At a time the COVID-19 situation was grave in Ganjam district putting lives and livelihoods of millions at risk, Pradeep Panigrahi was flying in charter planes and enjoying luxurious accommodations in cities like Mumbai and Pune, BJD MLA and former Minister Pratap Deb said. “ If IFS Officer’s son Akash was a genuine employee of Tata Group like firm, the Steel maker would have been issued a clarification but as it its biggest fraud, instead, the company lodged FIR with CID-CB,” the Aul MLA Deb said. MLA Deb said that CM Patnaik had never taken any decision without genuine reason or valid proof against anyone in the party.He rubbished allegations by Panigrahi stating, “CM Patnaik is not controlled by anyone. He is the Supreme in the party.
In a statement, the State Vigilance Directorate mentioned analysis of statements of three bank accounts of Akash Pathak in Bhubaneswar and Pune showed cash deposits of Rs 9.48 crore and deposits through transfer/clearings of Rs 5.29 crore, totaling Rs.14.77 crore.The anti-corruption agency has been also verifying land records of the IFS officer and his son’s educational expenses. The SIT consisting of three Additional SPs, four DSPs, three Inspectors, Bank Consultant, Chartered Accountant and Forensic Auditor and others have been conducting investigation into various aspects of the case, the statement added.
The statement further stated officers of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Bhubaneswar have started forensic examination of the seized cell phones, laptops and other seized devices.During the probe the Vigilance officials examined one DFO and two Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACFs), the travel and tour operator handling booking of air tickets / chartered flights/hotels and the driver of the IFS officer. They also examined relevant footages of CCTVs seized from residence and apartment of Abhay Kant.Verification was undertaken at places associated with the IFS officer’s previous posting in Rajgangpur, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Angul, Boudh, Koraput and Berhampur. Also, the offices of PCCF and Forest & Environment Department were searched.
“Panigrahi along with Pathaks travelled lavishly in charter flights and led an extravagant life while people of Ganjam were suffering from COVID-19. He along with Pathak family spent about Rs 84 lakh for staying at the Hotel Taj in Mumbai. They had also spent lakhs at the Hotel Taj Palace in Delhi,” BJD leader said.
While the State Government and Ganjam administration were struggling to save lives of people in fight against COVID-19 during the month of August this year, Panigrahi, who represents Gopalpur in hotspot Ganjam district, was enjoying lavish lifestyle. He also breached people’s trust for which the party supremo Naveen Patnaik took stringiest action against the erring party man.
