Bhubaneswar, December 14: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has called upon senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi of the Odisha cadre, along with his drivers, to provide statements as part of an ongoing bribery investigation, sources reported on Saturday.
In a communication dated December 10, CBI inspector Gurjinder Singh informed Sethi, stating, “It has come to our attention that you possess vital information and relevant details pertaining to this CBI case, which we need to verify with you.”
Sethi was requested to appear at the CBI office in Bhubaneswar on December 11; however, he asked for an extension through his legal representatives.
The senior officer was unavailable for immediate comment.
Following his absence, the agency has requested the Odisha state government to supply a list of all drivers who have worked for Sethi over the past six years.
This inquiry relates to an ongoing investigation into bribery allegations involving Chanchal Mukherjee, group general manager of Bridge and Roof Construction Company Ltd, Bhubaneswar, as well as others.
Earlier this month, the CBI arrested Mukherjee along with contractors Santosh Maharana and Debadatta Mahapatra near a hotel in Bhubaneswar in connection with these allegations.
Meanwhile, Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan acknowledged that the state government is aware of the CBI’s summons directed at the IAS officer.
“The state government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Should any connections be established, stringent measures will be undertaken against the officer,” the law minister emphasized. (Agencies)
