The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the state crime branch conducted simultaneous searches at multiple locations linked to Soumya Sankar Chakra, a prominent member of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on Tuesday.
This action follows a 10-hour interrogation of Chakra regarding his alleged involvement in a significant mineral transport fraud case in Keonjhar district.
Chakra, also known as Raja, is the state vice-president of the Biju Yuva Janata Dal, BJD’s youth wing, and operates a transport and logistics business.
The investigation centers on misappropriating over Rs 35 crore in the Gandhamardhan loading agency and transporting cooperative society limited. Despite having no official position in the cooperative society, Chakra is under scrutiny for allegedly orchestrating financial irregularities within the unit.
On February 8, the EOW arrested the society’s former president Manas Ranjan Barik and secretary Utkal Das in connection with the fraud. While Chakra has remained silent on media inquiries, the BJD has accused the BJP of fabricating charges against him.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty stated, “He has secured anticipatory bail. The matter is before the court. BJP is pursuing vindictive politics through EOW despite his bail.”
The investigation continues as EOW seeks to uncover the full extent of Chakra’s involvement in the financial irregularities.
