Former BJD MP N. Bhaskar Rao surrenders in 2010 murder case after Supreme Court cancels bail

Former Biju Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MP N. Bhaskar Rao surrendered before a court in Odisha's Rayagada district on Monday, following the Supreme Court's decision to cancel his bail in a 2010 abduction and murder case. Rao appeared before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate court alongside three other accused individuals, namely Epili Sanyasi Raju, P. Dilip Kumar, and G. Krishna Rao. The court rejected their bail applications and sent all four men to Rayagada jail in judicial custody.

Case Details

Among the remaining accused, A. Adinarayana has not yet surrendered, while a sixth accused named Ela Venkata Rao, also known as Kandababu, died a few days ago. The Supreme Court set aside the bail previously granted to Bhaskar Rao by the Orissa High Court on January 22, directing him to surrender within two weeks. The apex court order came after Jagannath Mandangi, the brother of the victim Bhagirathi Mandangi, filed a special leave petition. Bhagirathi Mandangi was abducted and killed on December 15, 2010, and his charred body with tied hands and legs was found floating in a dam in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The case includes charges under sections 302 for murder, 201 for causing the disappearance of evidence, and 34 for common intention under the erstwhile Indian Penal Code.

Protests And EOW Raids

The murder previously sparked protests by the Adivasi Mahasangha in Rayagada in 2021 and 2023, with the organisation demanding an impartial investigation and claiming the victim was targeted for raising concerns about temple fund irregularities. Jagannath Mandangi later filed a petition in February seeking action, after which the court issued non-bailable warrants based on evidence and witness statements. Separately, the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Investigation Department recently searched Bhaskar Rao's residence and other establishments over an alleged 80-crore rupee embezzlement linked to a truck owners' association, seizing important documents and 7 lakh rupees in cash.

Context

High-profile legal battles involving political figures often involve prolonged judicial reviews across multiple court levels before reaching a final resolution. Such cases draw significant public attention due to the involvement of elected representatives and allegations of administrative delays. Local community protests and petitions by grieving families frequently serve as key catalysts in pushing stalled investigations forward.