Cuttack, Oct. 14: The CBI today submitted the forensic report of the compact disc (CD) in Orissa High Court.

The CD purportedly carries the telephonic conversation between BJD MLA Pravat Kumar Tripathy and Artha Tatwa Group chief Pradeep Kumar Sethy.

The group has duped thousands of investors in the state. But, the central investigating agency conceded that Tripathy was still a suspect and his arrest had not been contemplated as investigation was in its nascent stage and the entire money trail had not been taken to its logical end.

However, CBI counsel V. Narasingh argued that granting anticipatory bail would pre-empt the investigation, forcing the court to come to the conclusion that there was no material to nail Tripathy.

The single judge bench of Justice S.K. Sahoo adjourned the hearing till 3.30pm on the anticipatory bail plea of Tripathy. He also extended interim protection against his arrest.

Narasingh submitted the test report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, New Delhi, on a sealed cover, along with the transcription of the CD, in which the MLA is allegedly heard requesting Sethy for a sponsorship for the annual Banki Mahotsava. Narasingh also submitted the statement of Sethy on a sealed cover.

Narasingh argued that Tripathy should not be insulated from arrest, since it would render further interrogations into mere ritual.

The CBI is trying to ascertain whether any monetary transaction has taken place between Sethy and Tripathy.

Senior advocate Pitambar Acharya, who is representing Tripathy, refuted the arguments. Acharya said the CBI was yet to come up with any clinching evidence.

The CD cannot be considered as evidence as the CBI is yet to ascertain its origin and the electronic device in which it was recorded, Acharya said.

On August 16, the CBI raided Tripathy’s house in Cuttack, official quarters in Bhubaneswar and BJD’s party office in Banki.

It had also verified his four bank accounts. The 61-year-old four-time MLA from Banki is the second legislator to be questioned by the CBI after Dharmasala MLA Pranab Balabantaray.