Bhubaneswar, July 29: The Orissa High Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi in connection with an ongoing bribery investigation.
The decision was delivered by Justice V. Narasingh, who dismissed Sethi’s petition seeking protection from arrest in the case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) began probing the matter after seizing ₹10 lakh in cash from a luxury vehicle in Bhubaneswar in December last year. In February, CBI officials raided Sethi’s official residence in the Odisha capital and questioned him regarding his alleged involvement in the case.
Following the seizure, the CBI arrested Chanchal Mukherjee, Group General Manager of Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited. Mukherjee, who was found inside the vehicle at the time, is accused of accepting a bribe from the director of a Bhubaneswar-based private firm.
Investigators believe Mukherjee had links with Bishnupada Sethi and two other individuals—Debadutta Mohapatra and Santosh Moharana—who are also under scrutiny.
Despite the allegations, Sethi has denied any wrongdoing.
