Post News Network
Cuttack, Dec 15: The anticipatory bail plea of Crime Branch deputy superintendent of police Pramod Panda was Monday rejected by the Orissa High Court.
Panda had moved the court apprehending arrest in connection the multi-crore chit fund scam in the state. Earlier, the High Court had completed its hearing in the matter and had kept the judgment reserved.
During a raid November 18, 2014, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investing the ponzi scam in the state, had seized some incriminating documents, including the charge-sheet filed against Jagabandhu Panda, from the residence of Panda. The apex central investigating agency took Jagabandhu on a nine-day remand December 12, for questioning.
According to sources, CBI is trying to find out the link between the DSP and the chit fund accused. Panda, who was suspended in February, is currently posted in Nayagarh following revocation of his suspension.
According to sources, the DSP had allegedly threatened petitioner Alok Jena whose public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court led to the CBI taking over the probe. Jena has filed two FIRs while his wife had filed one against Panda for trespassing, unauthorised surveillance and criminal intimidation.
The State crime branch was investigating the chit fund scam before CBI took over the probe under Supreme Court orders in May this year. CBI has got some crucial clues about AT Group funds having been diverted to an account of a computer centre in the city which was run by Pramod’s close aide, an official of CBI informed.
The central investigating agency may summon Pramod Panda for interrogation in connection with his alleged links with the AT group and Jagabandhu. The Central probing agency also suspects that the chit fund accused diverted money to the account of a relative of the DSP.
The police officer’s relative runs a computer appliances store in Bhadrak.