Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: Odisha Vigilance Department on Tuesday filed a 5,000 page chargesheet against former Additional Chief Conservator of Forest Abhay Kanta Pathak and his son Akash Pathak before the Special Judge Bhubaneswar for possession of disproportionate assets worth over Rs 14.25 crore.
The Vigilance officials filed the chargesheet after receipt of sanction of prosecution from the Union government against Abhay Kanta Pathak and his son.
A DA case was registered against the then Chief Conservator of Forest (Plan, Programme & Afforestation), Odisha, Bhubaneswar and his son Akash Kumar Pathak in November 2020 U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1) (b) /12 P.C. Act, 1988 as amended by P.C. (Amendment) Act, 2018 for possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income by Abhaya Kanta Pathak during his tenure as a public servant.
During the course of investigation, house searches were conducted at far flung areas in over 16 places including 7 places in Odisha, 2 places in Bihar, 6 places in Mumbai/Pune and in one place in Rajasthan.
Vigilance sources said relevant materials, documents and information relating to assets, income and expenditure were collected.
After completion of investigation,Abhay Kant Pathak was found in possession of assets disproportionate to the tune of Rs.14,25,46,901.
During investigation, more than Rs 10 crores of cash deposits and account transfers of around Rs 5 crores in different bank accounts of Abhay Kant Pathak and his son were found.
Both the accused persons failed to provide a satisfactory explanation on possession of such huge assets.
