Ganja mafia links: Absconding former police IIC surrenders in Odisha court

A former Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Astarang police station in Puri district, identified as Rajesh Baliarsingh, who had been absconding for nearly six months, surrendered on Monday before the District and Sessions Judge Court in Jeypore town of Koraput district.

Also Read: Odisha Police IIC Rajesh Baliarsingh suspended for ‘shielding ganja mafia’

Baliarsingh was accused of assisting Ganja (cannabis) smugglers and allowing them to use his vehicle during his tenure in the Koraput district. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Koraput police had previously detained him in Bhubaneswar along with the vehicle linked to the alleged smuggling network.

However, during interrogation at the Capital Police Station in the first week of August last year, Baliarsingh allegedly managed to escape custody. Subsequently, police conducted a raid at his government residence as part of the investigation.

The former officer had earlier served in several police stations across Jeypore, Koraput, and Rayagada. The operation to apprehend him was led by then SDPO Partha Kashyap. After months of evasion, his surrender marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into alleged police links with cannabis trafficking networks.

“An NDPS case (No. 206/2025) was filed against the suspended Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Astarang at the Jeypore Town Police Station. Senior Advocate Sauri Chandra Mahapatra had moved a bail plea in the Orissa High Court, and the court had ordered him to surrender before the Jeypore Court today and be released on bail,” a senior advocate from Jeypore, P Ramesh Patra, said to mediapersons.

“He was required to provide a bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety. The court has also set several conditions that he must attend every hearing, refrain from contacting any witnesses or other accused individuals, and cooperate with the Investigating Officer (IO) whenever required. He must strictly adhere to these terms,” the lawyer stated.

“We will be informed of the next hearing date shortly. Regarding the allegations of ganja smuggling and discovery of a vehicle at his official residence, while every case is based on certain allegations, the High Court likely found some deficiencies in the probe or a lack of documentary evidence, which led to the bail being granted,” P Ramesh Patra expressed.

“I have no knowledge regarding the reports that he evaded the police during questioning in Bhubaneswar, so I cannot comment on that. Today, we processed the bail in the Jeypore District Court as per the High Court's directions,” the defence counsel added.