Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance today filed a 5,000 page charge sheet against Abhay Kant Pathak, a former Indian Forest Services (IFoS) officer who previously served as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Plan, Programme & Afforestation in Bhubaneswar, and his son Akash Kumar Pathak for possession of disproportionate assets (DA) worth Rs 14,25,46,901 and his son Akash Kumar Pathak for abetting the offence.
According to an official press release, the Odisha Vigilance after obtaining Sanction of Prosecution against Abhay Kant Pathak, IFoS from the Government of India, filed a charge sheet against Pathak and his son Akash Kumar Pathak before the Special Judge Vigilance, Bhubaneswar in a disproportionate assets case.
The anti-corruption agency registered a case on 27 November 2020 under section 13(2) read with 13(1)(b)/12 of PC Act,1988 as amended by PC (Amendment) Act 2018 for possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income by Abhay Kant Pathak during his tenure as a public servant.
During the course of enquiry/investigation, house searches were conducted at far-flung areas in 16 places seven places in Odisha, two places in Bihar, six places in Mumbai/Pune, Maharashtra and 1 place in Rajasthan and relevant materials, documents and information relating to assets, income and expenditure were collected.
After completion of the investigation, Abhay Kant Pathak was found in possession of assets disproportionate to the tune of Rs 14, 25, 46,901.
During the investigation, more than Rs 10 Crore of cash deposits and account transfers of around Rs 5 crore in different bank accounts of Abhay Kant Pathak and Akash Kumar Pathak were found. Both accused persons failed to provide a satisfactory explanation in this regard.
