A major financial scandal has rocked the Rayagada Truck Owners’ Association, with allegations of Rs 80 crore embezzlement spanning four decades.
The case names former Rajya Sabha MP N. Bhaskar Rao and several others, sparking widespread local uproar.
According to the complaint filed by current association president Yala Venkateshwar Rao, former office‑bearers allegedly controlled the union for years and siphoned off funds belonging to truck owners. He claimed that crucial documents were destroyed to conceal evidence and urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct a thorough probe.
The Rayagada Town Police registered Case No. 255/2026 under IPC Sections 406, 403, 417, 420, 384, 506, and 34. Following the FIR, accused B. Manmath Rao and others sought pre‑arrest bail (Application No. ABLAPL 8414 of 2026) from the Odisha High Court.
A division bench led by Justice V. Narasimha granted interim protection to the applicants till August 31, directing them to cooperate fully with the investigation. The court also instructed the state counsel to collect the case diary before the next hearing.
Meanwhile, police have begun detailed inquiries into the alleged financial irregularities, with public attention now fixed on the progress of the investigation.
