JUDGMENT

1. This matter is taken up by video conferencing mode.

2. Heard Mr. Pitambar Acharya, learned Senior Advocate for the Petitioner and Mr. A.K. Parija, learned Advocate General assisted by Mr. M.S. Sahoo, learned Additional Government Advocate for the State-Opposite Parties.

3. The challenge in the present writ petition is the order dated 11th December, 2020 passed by the Odisha Lokayukta ("Lokayukta') in LY Case No. 1348 of 2020, which reads as under:

'This complaint dated 09.12.2020 is received from Ranjan Kumar Das, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Cell Unit, Bhubaneswar wherein serious allegation of corruption is made against Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly of Gopalpur Constituency. The complaint is based on a secret verification of the Vigilance Cell. It is also supported by number of documents.

The complaint prima facie reveals that Dr.Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi by resorting to corrupt practice has amassed assets disproportionate to his known source of income.

We therefore by exercising powers conferred under section 20(1) of the Odisha Lokayukta Act, 2014 direct the Directorate of Vigilance, Odisha, Cuttack to conduct a preliminary