The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch interrogated Raja Chakra, a prominent leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on Monday as part of the investigation into an alleged Rs 500 crore transport fraud case. Chakra’s questioning, which began at 11 a.m., follows the arrest of two individuals, Manas Ranjan Barik and Utkal Das, who are believed to have connections to the fraud.
Earlier, the EOW arrested Barik and Das, former officials of the Gandhamardhan Loading Agency & Transporting Cooperative Society Ltd. in Keonjhar, on charges of misappropriating Rs 40 to Rs 50 crore.
The ongoing investigation by the EOW reveals that from 2017 to 2023, the society was controlled by influential individuals, including office bearers, who allegedly conspired to create false documents regarding labor payments, periphery development, infrastructure expenses, payments to members, and EPF deductions. These fraudulent activities allowed the cooperative society to charge excessively for loading iron ore and siphon off funds through fictitious payments.
The authorities are committed to uncovering the details of this massive financial misconduct as they continue to probe the case.
