The Odisha High Court on Wednesday asked the State Government to submit to it the Efficiency Audit Report based on which an FIR has been filed against former State DGP Prakash Mishra by the Vigilance police booking him under corruption and criminal conspiracy charges.
Taking up the petition in which Mishra has sought quashing of the FIR and the corresponding criminal proceedings in the case, a single-judge Bench of Justice SC Parija also asked the Government to submit a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation with regard to placing advances to steel and cement companies during the tenure of Mishra as the chairman of the corporation. The Bench adjourned the case to be heard next on December 9.
Mishra, who is now working as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in Union Home Ministry, in his petition has alleged that the initiation of criminal proceedings against him is an outcome of malafide action and an abuse of judicial process. He has also pointed out that the Efficiency Audit Report referred to in the FIR does not disclose the commission of an offence.
It may be mentioned that the Vigilance Directorate in September this year filed the case against Mishra for allegedly showing undue favour to some steel and cement suppliers during his stint as the head of the corporation by making hundred percent advances to the suppliers, as a result the State exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 7.27 crore as the same amount has remained un-reconciled till date.
The HC, however, had earlier granted major relief to Mishra saying the pending graft case against him shall not be an impediment for him to hold any other Central Government assignment. The HC has also restrained the State Government from taking any coercive action against Mishra with regard to the Vigilance case.