BJD MLA Prabhat Tripathy arrested by CBI

Banki MLA and BJD leader Prabhat Tripathy arrested by CBI over his alleged involvement with the Artha Tatwa (AT) Group. Earlier on the day, Tripathy appeared before the CBI for 5th time for interrogation. Following his arrest, Tripathy was suspended from BJD.

Earlier on October 25, Tripathy was grilled for two and half hours by CBI. He was interrogated about the mode of selection of AT chief Pradeep Sethy as the winner of the ‘best youth cooperator’ prize for running Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society by the State Cooperative Union.

Tripathy’s residences in Banki and Cuttack were raided and bank accounts of his close aide Subash Padhi were scrutinised by the CBI. Apprehending arrest by the CBI, Tripathy had moved the Odisha High Court for anticipatory bail.

On September 30, the HC had granted Tripathy interim relief from arrest till October 13. Later, the court had rejected the bail plea of Tripathy. The CBI had also produced the voice test report of a CD carrying a telephonic conversation between Tripathy with AT Group chief Pradip Sethy.

This may be the first arrest of a politician in Chit-fund scam, but indicates misuse of power & position to harass the public, who have elected them with faith.