Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, the Orissa High Court on Friday rejected the bail pleas of prime accused, Raja Chakra, along with those of his three associates, Manas Barik, Utkal Das, and Sushant Samal in the high-profile Gandhamardan Loading Agency and Transporting Cooperative Society Limited corruption case.
The decision marks a setback for the accused, who have been implicated in a multi-crore scam involving the Gandhamardan Loading Agency and Transporting Cooperative Society Limited .
The Crime Branch had arrested Raja Chakra and his associates on March 20, 2025, following allegations of widespread financial irregularities. Investigations uncovered that Raja had disbursed ₹33 crore to villagers over four years, with ₹9.1 crore allegedly funneled to a petrol pump named Maa Kali. Additionally, workers were reportedly defrauded under the guise of payments, further intensifying the charges against the accused.
The High Court’s decision to deny bail comes after it had previously revoked interim protection granted to Raja. The rejection of bail for Raja and his associates underscores the gravity of the charges, which include corruption and fraudulent practices in the mining sector.
