After the Central Bureau of Investigation  (CBI) summoned BJD leaders Arun Sahu and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak  in connection with the chit fund scam, the Chhatrapur police in Ganjam district on Tuesday night issued notices to BJP leaders Golak Mohapatra and Bhrugu Buxipatra in connection with the 2017 Councillor Laxmidutta Pradhan murder case.

Chhatrapur SDPO Ramesh Chandra Sethi said BJP leaders Golak Mahapatra and Bhrugu Buxipatra have been issued notices to appear in the Chhatrapur police station on February 7 and 9 respectively.

However, Mohapatra said he was yet to receive any such notice so far. But he will respond to the notice and cooperate with the police.

 He alleged that the police have served the notice on him at the behest of the State Government.

“The State Government has become vindictive as the CBI has summoned two senior BJD leaders for interrogation in connection with the Seashore chit fund scam. Why the police, that had called me after the incident and recorded my statement, have again sent a notice to me after one and half years?” Mohapatra questioned.

In reaction, BJD spokesperson Samir Dash said the Chhatrapur police had earlier issued notice to Mohapatra to appear before them. The case is under investigation and the police might have again summoned the BJP leader. But linking it with summoning of BJD leaders by the CBI is not correct.

However, PCC president Niranjan Patnaik said both the Central Government and the State Government are using the CBI and the police. But as the elections are round the corner, it is suspected that both the agencies are being utilised for political reasons.