Rs 80 crore fraud case: EOW raids former MP N. Bhaskara Rao's house in Rayagada

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch on Friday raided the residence of former Rajya Sabha MP N. Bhaskar Rao in Rayagada in connection with an alleged fraud of Rs 80 crore involving a local truck owners' association.

According to reports, the EOW team has been in Rayagada for the last two days investigating allegations of financial irregularities.

The investigation is being conducted on the basis of a complaint filed by the former president of the Truck Owners' Association, Late Y. Venkateswara Rao. He had alleged that former MP N. Bhaskara Rao and others had embezzled about Rs 80 crore from the association's funds. Later, the Rayagada police handed over the case to the Crime Branch. A 25-member team of the Crime Branch has been deployed to investigate the case.

Sources have revealed that Bhaskar Rao is not present in Rayagada at present. The EOW team is at his residence in Rayagada and is questioning some of his associates. However, EOW officials have refused to give any further information regarding the case.