Raja Chakra arrested: Here’s how the BJD leader built such a huge empire

After carrying out intensive investigation, following a case of misappropriation of funds and corruption was registered on February 7, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Crime Branch on Thursday arrested BJD leader Soumya Shankar alias Raja Chakra.

At a presser Crime Branch DG Vinaytosh Mishra revealed how the EOW conducted the investigation and finally managed to unearth massive corruption in the funds that were meant for periphery development near Gandhamadhan hills in Keonjhar. The case was registered by EOW based on the complaint filed by a villager.

Also Read: Transport scam: BJD leader Raja Chakra arrested by Odisha Crime Branch

Allegation Against Raja Chakra In Details

The complainant alleged massive irregularity in the functioning of Gandhamardan Loading Agency and misappropriation of funds of the cooperative, which was initially created for the welfare of villagers affected by the mines.

Preliminary Investigation By Crime Branch:

During the course of investigation, it was found that the loading agency had earned around Rs 185 crore from 2017-18 till March 2024. The broad investigation revealed that the President and Secretary, namely Manas Barik and Utkal Das, with the help of some other local influential persons, defrauded huge amount of money.

How The Scam Happened: In the name of peripheral development, Rs 34 crore was taken, but no peripheral development was done.

Raja Chakra’s Role And Dominance

During investigation, the senior officials of Crime Branch found that Rs 9.1 crore was taken away and paid to one Maa Kali Petrol Pump, which had not supplied any fuel to GML, rather, it was supplying fuel to the vehicles of Raja Chakra.

Within a short period of time, BJD leader Raja Chakra became popular as he allegedly distributed Rs 33 crore to local villagers who were supposed to be the members of a cooperative society. This distribution was to ensure that the villagers would always come out in support of Chakra.

Raja Chakra & The Larger Conspiracy:

The EOW further found that around Rs 74 crore were shown as loading charges and labour payment. However, the muster roll and vouchers pointed towards a huge mismatch. Now, it has been decided to get the period audited after which detailed defalcation would be known. It is pertinent to mention here that the society has not conducted audit since 2012-2013.

Shocking! Raja Chakra Was Not Associated With The Society

Investigation revealed that Raja Chakra was not associated with the society on paper. However, Raja Chakra was allegedly running the Society through his henchman Sadashiv Samal, Sudhansu Shekhar Naik and Samir Jena.

The Business Of Raja Chakra

According to Crime Branch DG, Raja Chakra has founded four businesses- Sankar Mineral, Shankar Transporting, Shankar Roadways and Sankar Projects. 

“It has been found that Rs 9.1 crore payment was made to Maa Kali Petrol pump and fuel was being provided to Raja Chakra vehicles. We have got necessary documentary evidence. The petrol pump owner has also deposed and recorded statement before the magistrate,” said Mishra.

Seizures from Raja Chakra So Far:

Senior officials informed that so far 42 vehicles belonging to Raja Chakra have been seized apart from two screening plants.

On financial investigation, several bank accounts of Raja Chakra have been frozen and an amount of about Rs 25 lakh freezed in the banks. He is being interrogated and further investigation is being done to unearth the involvement of other persons and the entire racket.