Rayagada: A court in Rayagada has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) for the arrest of former Rajya Sabha member N. Bhaskar Rao and five others in connection with the 2010 murder of Bhagirathi Mandangi, a tribal leader and trustee of the Majhighariani Temple.
The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court, Rayagada issued the NBW following a protest petition filed by Jagannath Mandangi, Bhagirathi’s younger brother.
The case traces back to December 2010, when Bhagirathi’s half-burnt body with hands and legs tied was found floating in a dam in Andhra Pradesh. His family alleged foul play and pursued a murder case in court.
Although the State government had ordered a Crime Branch investigation, the probe saw little progress over the next 13 years.
Earlier this year, Jagannath Mandangi filed a fresh petition in the SDJM court, leading to the recent warrant.
Samuel Tandi, representing the petitioner, stated that the NBWs were issued based on evidence and witness statements. The charges include murder, destruction of evidence, and common intention under Sections 302, 201, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, he added.
Bhaskar Rao currently serves as the BJD’s Rayagada District President.
