The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- A Khordha sessions court in Bhubaneswar has dismissed a petition against former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his aide VK Pandian over alleged misuse of government helicopters costing the state about ₹500 crore.
- The complaint, filed by advocate Sudhir Charan Mohanty, was dismissed because he failed to establish a prima facie offence, follow the mandatory procedure under Section 173(4) of the BNSS after police refused to register an FIR, produce supporting documentary or RTI evidence, or show the required locus standi.
- The sessions judge upheld a March 25 magistrate's order that found the complaint did not disclose a cognisable offence.
- The allegations stemmed partly from Pandian's 2023 helicopter travel to 190 locations across Odisha's 30 districts, with reported helicopter spending of ₹6-9 crore and BJP claims of ₹500 crore in overall expenditure.
What to watch next
- Whether the petitioner Sudhir Charan Mohanty challenges the sessions court ruling in a higher court.
- Any fresh complaint if the procedural defects under Section 173(4) of the BNSS are cured.
- Whether the Odisha government ever releases official figures for expenditure on the 190 meetings.
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1 report
English national1
All filed from India
Named India · Naveen Patnaik · Odisha · VK Pandian · Bharatiya Janata Party · Biju Janata Dal · Biranchi Narayan Mohanty · Capital Police Station · Khordha Sessions Court · Sudhir Charan Mohanty
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