Court Issues Summons to Naveen Patnaik and V.K. Pandian Over Helicopter Expenditure
A fresh legal development has emerged in Odisha over the alleged expenditure on chartered flights and helicopter services during the tenure of the previous state government. A court has issued summons to former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and former senior bureaucrat V.K. Pandian, directing them to submit details related to the use of helicopters and chartered aircraft during official tours.
Court Seeks Detailed Report
According to reports, the matter is currently pending before the Khordha District Court. The court has directed Naveen Patnaik and V.K. Pandian to furnish their response within the stipulated time. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for July 18, and the concerned parties have reportedly been asked to submit the required information before the deadline.
The case originated from a complaint filed by advocate Sudhir Mohanty, who questioned the expenditure incurred on helicopter and chartered flight services during the previous government. It has been alleged that more than 300 helicopter sorties were undertaken for official visits and public meetings across various districts of Odisha.
Allegations Over Expenditure
As per the allegations, the Odisha Transport Department reportedly spent substantial amounts on aviation services. Around ₹50.55 crore was allegedly paid to OSS Air Management, while another ₹52.18 crore was paid to Jet Serve Aviation for chartered flights and helicopter operations.
The complainant has sought clarity on the purpose of these tours, the approvals granted for the expenditure, and whether the use of public funds complied with the prescribed government rules and protocols.
Questions Over Official Protocol
The petition has also raised questions regarding the eligibility of officials to use government-funded helicopter services. Under existing protocols, such facilities are generally meant for constitutional and senior government functionaries, including the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police.
The complaint alleges that V.K. Pandian was not holding a position that entitled him to such facilities during the relevant period, making the expenditure a subject of legal scrutiny.
Transport Department Asked to Submit Records
The court has also directed the Odisha Transport Department to produce detailed records of the helicopter and chartered flight operations. These include:
- Districts visited during the tours.
- Names of officials and political leaders who travelled.
- Purpose of each visit.
- Source of funds used for the expenditure.
- Administrative approvals and related documents.
These records are expected to help the court determine whether the expenditure followed the established legal and administrative procedures.
No Official Response Yet
As of now, neither Naveen Patnaik nor V.K. Pandian has issued an official public response regarding the court summons or the allegations mentioned in the case.
The proceedings remain at the judicial stage, and the issuance of summons should not be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing. The court is expected to examine the records and responses submitted by all concerned parties before arriving at any conclusion.
Conclusion
The helicopter expenditure case has become one of the significant legal matters concerning the previous Odisha administration. With the next hearing scheduled for July 18, attention will remain on whether the required reports are submitted on time and what findings emerge from the court proceedings. The outcome could have important implications for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
