BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch launched massive simultaneous raids on multiple properties linked to former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha member Nekkanti Bhaskar Rao. The high-profile crackdown is tied to alleged large-scale financial irregularities, extortion, and criminal misappropriation involving a local truck owners’ association, with the total fraud estimated at nearly ₹80 crore.
The Operation
Multiple special teams of the EOW, comprising senior officials, digital experts, and inspectors, conducted targeted searches across 11 locations—including Rao’s residences and business offices in Rayagada and Bhubaneswar.
- 21-member team led by Additional SP Ashish Kumar Mishra spearheaded the operation at Rao’s primary residence in Raniguda, Rayagada.
- The former parliamentarian was reportedly absent during the searches, prompting EOW investigators to question present staff and aides.
- Incriminating financial ledgers, digital storage drives, and crucial property documents have been seized for deeper evaluation
Roots of the Case
The enforcement action stems from a formal complaint initially lodged by the late Y. Venkateswara Rao, the former president of the Rayagada Truck Owners’ Association. The FIR alleges that Bhaskar Rao, along with other association office-bearers, illegally controlled the logistics body and systematically extorted money from local truck operators under various pretexts.
Allegations of Diverted Funds & Unlawful Levies
According to EOW sources, the targeted association systematically collected massive tranches of money from truckers without maintaining proper accounts, issuing valid receipts, or possessing a legal mandate.
Diversion to Private Entities: The agency alleges that a substantial portion of the siphoned funds was illegally routed to float or expand private business ventures, including logistics, trading, real estate, and mining companies owned by the accused and their close associates.
Maoist Funding Angle: Investigators are also probing startling allegations within the complaint stating that a portion of the un-receipted commission collected from truck owners between 2003 and 2005 was allegedly collected under the pretext of funding Naxalite/Maoist activities in the region.
Political Profile
N. Bhaskar Rao remains a highly prominent political and business figure in Southern Odisha. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha on a BJD ticket in 2016, served a full term until 2022, and formerly held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Odisha State Planning Board. He resigned from the BJD in 2025.
The case was officially transferred from local Rayagada police to the Crime Branch’s specialized Economic Offences Wing due to the sheer magnitude of the financial irregularities and complex cross-sector transactions. EOW SP Srikanta Kumar Behera indicated that the search operations are part of a wider effort to trace the final money trail, and further summons are expected to be issued as the recovered evidence is scrutinized.
