Rayagada: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch on Friday raided the residence of former Rajya Sabha MP N Bhaskar Rao in Rayagada in connection with an alleged Rs 80-crore fraud involving a local truck owners’ association.
Officials said a 21-member special EOW team, led by Additional SP Ashish Kumar Mishra, launched extensive searches at the former MP’s Raniguda residence. The team members are examining and seizing crucial financial documents.
The investigation stems from a police complaint initially filed by the late Y Venkateshwar Rao, former president of the Truck Owners’ Association. He had accused the former MP and several others of misappropriating around Rs 80 crore belonging to the association.
Considering the magnitude of the alleged financial irregularities, the Rayagada police recently handed the case over to the EOW.
An advance EOW team had been camping in the district for the last two days to collect preliminary documents from the local police station before launching Friday’s search operation.
Rao was not present at his residence during the raid as he is reported to be away from Rayagada at present. Investigating officers are currently questioning his aides and staff, sources said.