Sheltered under an interim protection of the Odisha High Court, former Additional Government Advocate (AGA) Devashis Panda would appear before the CBI investigation officer (IO) on April 2 in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-crore chit fund scam.
The High Court on Wednesday, while adjudicating an anticipatory bail application of Panda, gave this direction when the CBI pleaded before the court that appearance of the accused before the IO is necessary to carry forward the investigation in the chit fund scam.
The CBI in June last had booked Panda for his alleged commission of offence under several sections of IPC and the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act of 1978. Apprehending arrest, Panda had moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. He is believed to have links with AT Group CMD Pradeep Sethy.
In October last, the HC had given the interim protection to Panda stating that in the event of Panda’s arrest by the CBI, he shall be released on bail by furnishing a personal bond of Rs 10,000.
This interim protection is, however, still continuing even though Panda is accused of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery for the purpose of cheating, using as genuine a forged document and criminal intimidation.