CBI to Grill Odisha Principal Secretary Bishnupada Sethi in Rs. 10 Lakh Bribery Case
Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to question Odisha Principal Secretary IAS Bishnupada Sethi on Sunday in connection with a Rs. 10 lakh bribery case. Reports suggest that Sethi is expected to appear at the CBI office in Bhubaneswar later today.
Earlier, the CBI had summoned Sethi and his driver, Nursingha, for questioning. Nursingha had already been interrogated regarding Sethi’s alleged activities. Two other drivers were also questioned in relation to the case.
The investigation intensified after the arrest of three individuals on December 6 – Chanchal Mukherjee, head of the Odisha division of Bridge and Roof (B&R) Company, contractor Santosh Maharana, and super-class contractor Debdatta Mahapatra. The trio is currently in CBI custody for further questioning.
The case revolves around allegations of a Rs. 10 lakh bribe connected to projects awarded by the ST&SC Development and M&BCW Department for upgrading Ashram Schools into higher-level institutions. These projects, assigned to the Bridge and Roof Company, were reportedly overseen by Sethi. The bribe money was seized from a Mercedes car, allegedly intended as payment for the project.
