Berhampur: In a major development in the fraud case involving Berhampur MP and former Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, two key complainants admitted in court that they were pressured by senior district officials and BJD leaders to file complaints against him.
According to Panigrahi’s lawyer, Deepak Patnaik, the complainants, Laxmidhar Nayak and Prabhat Kumar Nayak, testified before the Berhampur JMFC Court that they had not engaged in any financial transactions with Panigrahi and had signed complaint documents under duress.
“In connection with the two cases registered at Golanthara police station, both complainants admitted that they signed reports prepared by senior officials and BJD leaders under pressure,” said Patnaik. “They also confirmed that no financial dealings took place between them and Mr. Panigrahi. This shows there is no truth in the complaints,” he added.
The fraud allegations stem from claims that Panigrahi cheated individuals by falsely promising employment in an automobile company. Five cases were registered against him in 2021, with four lodged at Golanthara police station and one at Baidyanathpur police station. Former IFS officer Abhay Pathak and his son Akash Pathak were also accused in related cases but are named in only one case each.
The complaints originated from an investigation by the Crime Branch, which began after a case was initially filed at the Cuttack Cyber Police Station in 2020. After thorough inquiry, five cases of fraud were registered in Panigrahi’s name.
Charges in two cases from Golanthara police station were framed on November 13, and the trial began today.
Patnaik expressed confidence in his client’s defense, stating, “The next stages of the trial will reveal the lack of substance in these complaints.”
The court proceedings have attracted significant attention, as the case involves both legal and political ramifications.
