The Odisha Vigilance Directorate on Monday argued in Odisha High Court stating that investigations were necessitated by registering a graft case under PC Act against former Odisha DGP Prakash Mishra, who is now heading the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as its DG. The vigilance counsel told the Court that during Mishra’s tenure as Chairman-cum Managing director (CMD) of Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation between 2006 and 2009, it was found that the accounts of the corporation were not properly maintained and hundred percent advances were paid to material suppliers without authority, thereby making a pecuniary loss of Rs 7.27 crore to the State exchequer.
While the vigilance counsel concluded his argument on the day after submitting the relevant papers as sought and justifying the registration of the FIR under section 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) d of PC Act and section 120-B of IPC against Mishra, the High Court fixed March 10 next for Prakash Mishra’s counsel to begin his argument. Mishra has challenged the vigilance FIR and the subsequent judicial proceedings against him, urging the HC to quash the impugned FIR terming it “suspect” and “suggestive of oblique motives” in the facts. Mishra has also urged the High Court to stop the criminal proceedings against him as the same is an outcome of malafide action and abuse of the judicial process.