Bhubaneswar, Nov 29: Expelled BJD MLA Pradeep Panigrahi today said that Akash Pathak, son of tainted IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak was entitled to travel by charter flights by his employer.

The senior IFS officer along with son was arrested by the Vigilance on Friday for amassing assets disproportionate to his income. Akash was expected to marry Panigrahy’s daughter in December.

Panigrahy claimed that Akash was a brilliant student and was working in Romania. “He returned Odisha to look after his ailing mother. He was selected for Tata Group and allowed to travel by charter flights by the company,” said Panigrahi.

However, the Tata Group had earlier accused Akash of impersonation and lodged a formal police compliant. Vigilance sleuths had found the senior IFS of having of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs9.35 crore. Officials said that the disproportionate assets traced so far are 435% of his total income.