The BJP on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s order rejecting a petition filed by the State challenging an order of the Odisha High Court quashing a Vigilance case against IPS officer Prakash Mishra.
The party lambasted the State Government for hatching a conspiracy against an honest officer by lodging a false and fabricated Vigilance case. “After the High Court’s and the Supreme Court’s orders, it is proved that the State Government had an agenda against Mishra in order to stop him from becoming CBI Director,” said State BJP president KV Singh Deo while briefing mediapersons here.
Singh Deo said the rejection of its plea is a loss of face for the State Government. “As the Vigilance wing comes under the Home Department headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he should step down immediately after the SC order,” he added. Senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said the State Government challenged the High Court order in the case though the senior counsels had reportedly cautioned the Government against moving the Supreme Court. The State had hired senior lawyers of the Supreme Court like Harish Salve and Abhishek Manu Singhvi but failed miserably in the case, he said.