Rayagada: Former Odisha MP N Bhaskar Rao surrendered before a court in Rayagada on Monday in connection with the high-profile Bhagirathi Mandangi murder case of 2010 following cancellation of his bail by the Supreme Court
Following his surrender before the court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), the former Rajya Sabha member was sent on judicial custody to Rayagada Sub Jail.
Notably, the Supreme Court recently set aside the bail granted to Rao by the Orissa High Court on January 22, 2026, and directed him to surrender before the SDJM Court within two weeks. The apex court passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the original complainant, Jagannath Mandangi, challenging the High Court’s decision.
Ahead of his surrender before the court, a large number of supporters of Rao reportedly visited his residence.
It may be noted that Bhagirathi Mandangi, a prominent tribal leader and a member of the Maa Majhighariani Temple Trust, was murdered on December 15, 2010. Following the incident, a case was registered at Rayagada police station, and the investigation was subsequently handed over to the Crime Branch.
N. Bhaskar Rao and several others were accused of involvement in the murder.
In November 2024, the Rayagada SDJM Court had issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against six persons, including the former MP, in connection with the case.
Besides Rao, Eipili Sanyasi Raju, Adinarayan Rao, K. Krishna Rao and P. Dileep Kumar are also accused in the murder case. An FIR was registered at Rayagada police station on December 23, 2010 (Case No. 208/2010), invoking IPC Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 364 (kidnapping) and 34 (common intention).
The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch, which registered the case as No. 10/2011 at the Kataka CID-CB police station on April 5, 2011.
Meanwhile, Rao is also facing scrutiny in a separate financial irregularities case. On November 7, an Economic Offences Wing (EOW) team conducted searches at 11 locations linked to him in connection with allegations of misappropriation of ₹60 crore by the Truck Owners’ Association. The case was initially registered at Rayagada police station.
Rao, who has been active in non-Congress politics for over five decades, resigned from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) last year and subsequently launched the Biju Swabhiman Manch. He had also announced plans to field candidates in the upcoming panchayat elections.