Legal
High Court Extends Interim Protection for IAS Officer in CBI Case
Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday extended the interim protection from “coercive action” against senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi till March 18. The protection was granted in connection with a CBI investigation into his alleged links with a senior PSU officer arrested in a bribery case last year.
The case revolves around the arrest of the group general manager of a central PSU on December 8, 2024, for allegedly accepting a Rs 10 lakh bribe from a real estate company in exchange for work orders. The PSU official was caught red-handed in Bhubaneswar. During his interrogation, Sethi’s name surfaced, leading to CBI searches at his official residence in Bhubaneswar on February 18.
Nominations are open for Honouring Women in Cyberspace on International Women’s Day 2025- Nominate Now!
Following the searches, Sethi, along with his wife and daughter, filed a petition on February 24, alleging mental harassment by CBI officers and seeking the High Court’s intervention. The court took up the plea the next day and granted interim protection, barring any coercive action against the petitioners.
CBI’s counsel sought time to file a reply, and on February 25, Justice S.K. Panigrahi listed the matter for March 4, extending the protection order. On Tuesday, the CBI submitted its response, and the court granted time for the petitioners to file a rejoinder, further extending Sethi’s protection until March 18.
In his petition, Sethi denied any links with Bridge and Roof Co Ltd, the PSU under scrutiny, stating that the company has worked with the government for over a decade. He also noted that he was not named in the FIR. The petition highlighted that during the CBI searches, his daughter’s laptop was seized, and his wife’s bank account was frozen, leading to allegations of undue harassment.