Bhubaneswar, Dec 19 (IANS) The CBI Friday arrested a top Odisha Police officer for his alleged links with the Artha Tatwa Group, a chit fund company operating in the state.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested deputy superintendent of police Pramod Panda on charges of conspiracy and gaining financial benefits.

“In Orissa chit fund case relating to Artha Tatwa Group, the CBI has arrested Pramod Panda, presently DSP of Orissa Police, on charges of larger conspiracy and deriving undue financial benefits,” a CBI spokesperson said in New Delhi.

Panda Friday appeared before the probe agency for the third time in three days for questioning before he was arrested.

The CBI said it has enough evidence of Panda’s involvement in the chit fund scam.

Alok Jena, a petitioner in the Supreme Court in the chit fund case, has filed two FIRs against the police officer in New Delhi. Jena accused Panda of intimidating him and threatening him with dire consequences if he did not withdraw his PIL in the apex court.

The Supreme Court had ordered the CBI inquiry.

The investigating agency raided his residence in Bhadrak Nov 18 and claimed to have recovered incriminating documents about his suspected links with the AT Group.

CBI sources said Panda was close to Artha Tatwa Group accused Jagabandhu Panda, who is in their custody.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate inquiring into the money trail of chit fund companies Friday sought to take Artha Tatwa Group chief Pradeep Sethy on remand for further interrogation. A session court deferred the hearing till Dec 24.