By Bizodisha Bureau, December 3, 2020: The Crime Branch (CB) of Odisha Police on Thursday arrested Pradip Kumar Panigrahi, expelled BJD MLA from Gopalpur for allegedly collecting money by promising jobs in Tata Group of Companies.

Panigrahi has been accused of colluding with Akash Kumar Pathak in collecting gullible youths promising jobs. The CB had earlier arrested Pathak on charges of impersonation, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and other cyber offences.

Pathak, who was scheduled to marry Panigrahi’s daughter this month, had posed himself as in charge Managing Director of Tata Motors passenger car division.

Pathak’s father, who is an Indian Forest Services (IFS) officer under Odisha government, Abhay Kant Pathak, also has been arrested by the Vigilance for amassing assets disproportionate to their income.

BJD president and Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik had sacked Pradeep Panigrahi from the party for “anti-people activity”.

When the COVID-19 situation was severe in Ganjam and lives were at risk, Panigrahi was flying in chartered planes and enjoying luxurious accommodation in cities like Mumbai and Pune. Incidentally, Panigrahi along with Pathaks travelled lavishly in chartered flights and led an extravagant life while people of Ganjam were suffering from Covid-19.

Panigrahi along with the Pathak family spent around Rs 84 lakh on their stay at the Taj hotel in Mumbai. They also spent lakhs at the Hotel Taj Palace in Delhi, Lenin Mohanty, BJD spokesperson told the media adding that Panigrahi was playing a key role in the job fraud allegations against Pathak.