Anticipating arrest against the backdrop of his houses having been raided by the CBI in connection with the chit fund scam, Banki MlA and senior BJD leader Pravat Kumar Tripathy on Monday approached the Odisha High Court seeking advance bail. Ever since the CBI has taken up the case, at least six persons have already been arrested by it.
The CBI had apparently seized certain incriminating documents from Tripathy’s houses. “Since the CBI officials had raided my houses, I apprehend that it could arrest me at any moment. In anticipation of any further humiliation, I have sought advance bail from the High Court,” Tripathy told this correspondent over phone when contacted.
CBI sleuths had also raided the house of one of Tripathy’s close associates Subash Padhy in Banki in connection with the case. It is alleged that Tripathy being the president of te Banki Mahotsav had taken money from Artha Tatwa CMD Pradeep Sethy last year through Padhy, who is general secretary of the festival.
Similarly, the CBI sleuths have also interrogated a BJD working committee member Ashis Sahu on Sunday. According to an audio CD circulated in the Banki area last year, Tripathy was reportedly heard speaking to Sethy over telephone saying that he (Tripathy) is sending Ashis and requesting Sethy to take care of Banki festival.