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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Enforcement Directorate Deputy Director Chintan Raghuvanshi (IRS) in Bhubaneswar on charges of corruption.
According to sources, Raghuvanshi was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting the first instalment of a bribe amounting to Rs 20 lakh. The CBI had laid a trap following a complaint and apprehended him at the scene. Investigations revealed that the bribe demand was part of a larger sum initially pegged at Rs 5 crore, which was later negotiated and settled for Rs 2 crore. The illegal gratification was reportedly sought in exchange for 'settling' a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). CBI further stated that the bribe was routed through Raghuvanshi's brother. The CBI has initiated further inquiry into the matter. In a separate incident, earlier, Odisha Vigilance intercepted Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Pabitra Mohan Panigrahi of Chitrakonda Block in Malkangiri district and seized cash exceeding Rs 15 lakh, suspected to be ill-got. Acting on credible intelligence inputs about alleged bribe collection from contractors, a team of Odisha Vigilance officials intercepted Panigrahi near Gobindapally Chowk while he was travelling from his government residence in Chitrakonda to Bhubaneswar in a WagonR car bearing registration number OD-30-E-3096. He was reportedly taking a lift at the time. Upon interception, officials recovered Rs 5.07 lakh in cash from Panigrahi's possession. A further search at his government quarters in Chitrakonda led to the recovery of Rs 10 lakh more in cash. As Panigrahi failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the seized amount, the entire cash was confiscated by the Vigilance team. Subsequently, searches are underway at two additional premises linked to Panigrahi from a disproportionate assets (DA) angle. He is currently being questioned to determine the source of the recovered funds. Further investigation is in progress, and a detailed report is awaited. (ANI)
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