Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to grill Principal Secretary to Odisha Government, IAS Bishnupada Sethi on Sunday in connection with the investigation into the Rs 10 lakh bribery case.
CBI had earlier summoned Sethi and his driver to appear at its office in Bhubaneswar. As per sources, Sethi is likely to appear at the CBI office in the Capital City today.
Earlier, CBI had quizzed Sethi’s driver Nursingha in Bhubaneswar in connection with the case. CBI officials also quizzed two other drivers in connection with the case.
After coming out from the CBI office, Nursingha said that the CBI officials asked him about the activities of Bishnupada Sethi.
The CBI summon to Sethi followed the arrest of three individuals earlier this month on December 6.
Among those detained are Chanchal Mukherjee, head of the Odisha Division of Bridge and Roof (B&R) Company, along with contractor Santosh Maharana and super-class contractor Debdatta Mahapatra. The three are currently in remand for further interrogation by the CBI.
The Odisha government in ST&SC Development, M&BCW Department, recently assigned projects for the upgradation of Ashram Schools to High Schools and High Schools to Higher Secondary Schools and others to the PSUs.
IAS Bishnupada Sethi, who is currently serving as the Principal Secretary to the Government, has assigned the projects to Chanchal Mukherjee, the head of Bridge and Roof Private Ltd. Reports suggest that the Rs 10 lakh seized from a Mercedes car was a bribe for the project.
