Orissa High Court Denies Bail to Suspended IAS Officer in Corruption Case

High Court's Decision on IAS Officer's Bail

Cuttack: On Monday, the Orissa High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Bishnupada Sethi, a suspended IAS officer implicated in a corruption investigation by the CBI.

Previously, on July 3, the High Court had instructed the CBI to refrain from taking any coercive measures against Sethi until the next court session.

Justice V Narasingh, leading the bench, noted, "Given that the petitioner holds a senior position within the Indian Administrative Service, the court acknowledges the CBI's argument that allowing anticipatory bail would hinder effective interrogation due to the evidence gathered thus far."

The court further remarked, "Corruption often shadows those in power. As a senior official, the petitioner possesses significant authority. The evidence suggests that an investigation into potential corruption should proceed without the hindrance of pre-arrest bail."

Consequently, the interim order from July 3 has been revoked.

In December, the CBI reportedly confiscated Rs 10 lakh from Debadatta Mohapatra, who allegedly received this sum from Chanchal Mukherjee, the director of the Bridge and Roof Company.

It is claimed that Mohapatra collected the funds on behalf of Sethi.

The company had secured a contract worth Rs 37 crore to construct schools for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state, during Sethi's tenure as secretary of the SC and ST Department.