news
The arrest follows an intensive investigation into large-scale misappropriation of funds and corruption linked to the Gandhamardan Loading Company (GLA) in Keonjhar district, which allegedly defrauded over Rs 185 crore meant for the welfare of native villagers.
Crime Department Director Normal Vinaytosh Mishra, addressing a packed press convention, detailed how the EOW uncovered a complicated community of economic fraud involving prime officers of the cooperative society accountable for overseeing mining-related transportation and improvement actions within the Gandhamardan hills area. The investigation was initiated after a villager lodged a proper criticism, triggering a deeper probe into the operations of the company.
In accordance with the EOW’s findings, the Gandhamardan Loading Company generated roughly Rs 185 crore in income between 2017-18 and March 2024. Nonetheless, an in depth monetary audit uncovered evident discrepancies within the fund’s utilization:
Audit revealed that although Rs 34 crore was earmarked for periphery improvement in villages affected by mining actions, however no seen improvement work was carried out. Equally, Rs 9.1 crore was illegally diverted to a gas station, Maa Kali Petrol Pump, which by no means provided gas to the cooperative’s autos. As an alternative, the gas was used for autos belonging to Raja Chakra’s transport corporations.
The audit additionally discovered that Rs 74 crore was proven as loading costs and labour funds, however a evaluation of muster rolls and fee vouchers revealed main inconsistencies and potential forgery.
Additional investigation revealed that Chakra used his affect over the cooperative’s administration via his shut associates — Sadashiv Samal, Sudhansu Shekhar Naik, and Samir Jena — regardless of not holding an official place within the cooperative. The EOW discovered that Chakra’s rise to affect within the area was partly on account of his strategic distribution of roughly Rs 33 crore amongst native villagers, making certain their help and loyalty.
The investigation additionally uncovered Chakra’s rising enterprise empire, which included 4 transportation and mining-related corporations —Shankar Mineral, Shankar Transporting, Shankar Roadways, and Shankar Tasks. The funds allegedly siphoned from the cooperative have been funneled into these corporations, bolstering Chakra’s monetary and political clout.
The EOW has seized 42 autos linked to Chakra, together with two screening vegetation. Moreover, a number of of Chakra’s financial institution accounts have been frozen, with authorities blocking roughly ₹25 lakh. The proprietor of Maa Kali Petrol Pump has additionally testified earlier than a Justice of the Peace, offering proof of the fraudulent transactions.
Crime Department DG Mishra confirmed that the investigation is increasing to uncover the total extent of the rip-off and establish different potential beneficiaries inside the political and enterprise networks. Officers at the moment are getting ready for a complete monetary audit of the cooperative, which has not carried out any audits since 2012-13.
“We now have gathered robust documentary proof linking Raja Chakra and his associates to the misappropriation of funds. Additional investigation is underway to find out the position of different people concerned and to get better the embezzled funds,” stated Mishra.
