Odisha Gangster Raja Acharya Gets Bail, Walks Out Of Jail After 14 Months

Bhubaneswar: After 14 months in Jharpara jail here, gangster Raja Acharya walked out on Monday evening after being granted conditional bail by the court.

Acharya was booked under NSA by the Commissionerate Police in October last year on charges of extortion, creating terror and public nuisance, soon after he had got bail in an extortion case.

“Raja was extorting Rs 20,000 from a person every month in connection with construction of a house,” a police official had said.

More than 40 cases are pending against the gangster in various police stations in the twin cities. On November 13, 2019, the Malgodown police had arrested him in connection with an attempt to murder case registered in 2004.

Acharya was the main accused in the killing of judo coach Biranchi Das on April 13, 2008, in Bhubaneswar and was arrested from Goa on May 28 the same year. Acharya, who is a murder convict serving life sentence, was released from jail on bail in April last year. He was also awarded a four-year jail term in October 2011 for abducting Arun Mantri, brother of Ollywood actress Bidusmita, in April 2008.

Sources said the police will keep a close watch on the movement and activities of Raja, especially as the New Year and festive season is round the corner. The bail conditions restrict his movement and mandate regular attendance at the police station.