CBI’s bribery investigation targets Odisha IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi

Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned senior Odisha IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi as part of its investigation into a bribery case involving Rs 10 lakh.

According to reports, the CBI issued a notice to Sethi, who serves as the Principal Secretary in the SSEPD Department, on December 10. The notice, sent from the CBI's New Delhi headquarters, mentioned that Sethi might have important information related to the ongoing case. The CBI's letter stated, "It is understood that you are familiar with some key facts and circumstances of this case, which need to be clarified."

Sethi, however, did not respond immediately to inquiries.

The summons required Sethi to appear at the CBI office in Bhubaneswar on December 11 at 10 am. This development follows the arrest of three individuals in Bhubaneswar on December 6, who were allegedly involved in the Rs 10 lakh bribery case. Those arrested include Chanchal Kumar Mukherjee, Group General Manager at CPSU Bridge and Roof Construction Co (India) Ltd, contractor Santosh Maharana, and super-class contractor Debdatta Mahapatra. They are currently in police remand for further questioning.

The investigation has also raised concerns over the possible involvement of Sethi’s drivers, who have been called in for questioning. It is alleged that the drivers may have played a role in facilitating the transaction with Mukherjee.

Sources also revealed that the Odisha government recently assigned projects related to upgrading Ashram Schools to High Schools and High Schools to Higher Secondary Schools to various PSUs, which are part of the ongoing investigation.