Interim Protection Withdrawn; Investigation Deepens into Alleged Links with Bridge and Roof Company Scandal
Bhubaneswar: In a major development, the Orissa High Court on Friday dismissed senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi’s petition challenging a CBI raid on his Bhubaneswar residence, effectively clearing the way for the central agency to proceed with its investigation into a ₹10 lakh bribery case linked to Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited, a central public sector enterprise.
Sethi had sought a stay on further CBI action and was earlier granted interim protection, which has now been withdrawn by the court. The ruling marks a significant setback for the senior bureaucrat and signals an escalation in the ongoing probe.
CBI’s 16-Hour Raid and Interrogation
In February 2025, a CBI team conducted a marathon 16-hour raid at Sethi’s official residence in Bhubaneswar. During the operation, the officer was reportedly questioned about his alleged links to the bribery case. The search was part of a broader investigation into corruption involving the Bridge and Roof Company.
Sethi, however, has denied all allegations, stating:
“No FIR has been filed against me. I have no knowledge of the raid and no connection with Chanchal Mukherjee or any dealings with Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited.”
He further clarified that Chanchal Mukherjee, one of the key accused in the case, had routine access to the State Secretariat due to his previous official assignments.
Background: Arrest of B&R Company GM
The bribery case revolves around the arrest of Chanchal Mukherjee, Group General Manager of Bridge and Roof Company (India) Ltd. He was caught red-handed by the CBI on December 7, 2024, near a luxury hotel in Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar,
llegedly accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe.
The bribe was reportedly paid by Santosh Moharana, Director of Bhubaneswar-based Penta A Studio Pvt Ltd, with Debadutta Mohapatra acting as an intermediary. Following the arrest, the CBI expanded its investigation to uncover the broader network of officials and middlemen possibly involved—bringing Bishnupada Sethi under scrutiny.
What Lies Ahead
With the High Court’s dismissal of Sethi’s petition, the CBI is expected to intensify its investigation, potentially including further questioning of the senior officer. Legal experts note that although no FIR has been registered against Sethi so far, the case remains open and fluid, with the possibility of new findings emerging.
While the CBI has not issued a formal statement following the High Court’s decision, sources close to the agency have described the probe as “active and ongoing,” indicating that further action could be imminent depending on the outcome of evidence analysis.
