Rayagada: A court in Odisha’s Rayagada issued non-bailable warrants (NBW) against six persons, including BJD leader and former MP N Bhaskar Rao, in connection with the murder of tribal leader and Maa Majhighariani Temple Trustee Bhagirathi Mandangi around 14 years ago.
The court of the sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) issued the NBW against Rao, a former Rajya Sabha member, and five others in connection with the brutal murder of Bhagirath Mandangi on December 15, 2010.
The court of SDJM Barsha Das issued the NBW for the arrest of Bhaskar Rao and five others while hearing a petition filed by Jagannath Mandangi, younger brother of the slain tribal leader.
Notably, Bhagirathi Mandangi, a tribal leader and trustee of the Majhighariani Temple, was murdered and his charred body with hands and legs tied was found floating in a dam in Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier, Mangangi’s family and the president of Adivashi Mahasangha of Rayagada, Appalaswamy Kadraka had demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
They had alleged that police failed to bring the culprits into the ambit of investigation as they were members of the BJD, which was the ruling party then.
They had alleged that Bhagirathi was murdered as he detected and raised voice against irregularities in the temple management.
Petitioner’s counsel Samuel Tandi said the court has issued the NBWs on basis of evidence and statements of the witnesses. The case has been filed under Section 302, 201, 34 of IPC.
Rao is at present the Biju Janata Dal’s Rayagada district unit president.
