Orissa HC seeks efficiency audit report on ex-DGP case

The Orissa High Court today asked the state government to submit before it the Efficiency Audit Report based on which an FIR has been filed against former state DGP Prakash Mishra by the Bhubaneswar vigilance sleuths.
The single-judge bench of Justice S C Parija adjourned the case for hearing on December 9.
Taking up the petition by the senior IPS officer, which sought quashing of the FIR and corresponding criminal proceedings in the case, Justice Parija asked the government to submit copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation about advances to steel and cement companies during his tenure as Chairman of the Corporation.

Mishra, now working as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in Union Home Ministry, alleged in his petition that the initiation of criminal proceedings against him is malafide and an abuse of judicial process.
In September, the vigilance directorate had slapped the case against Mishra for allegedly showing undue favour to some steel and cement suppliers during his stint as the head of the Corporation.
The FIR mentioned that Mishra had usurped financial power of the Corporation and made hundred per cent advances to the suppliers. As a result the state exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 7.27 cr as the same amount remained un-reconciled till date, the complaint stated.

The high court had earlier granted a major reprieve to the senior IPS officer that the pending graft case against Mishra should not prevent the top cop from holding any other central government assignment.
The high court had also restrained the state from taking any coercive action against Mishra with regard to the pending case.