The Odisha Crime Branch has arrested Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) state vice-president Soumya Shankar Chakra, also known as Raja Chakra, in connection with a multi-crore mining and transportation scam. The arrest follows an extensive investigation into financial irregularities in a cooperative society linked to mining activities in the Keonjhar district.
High Court Rejects Protection Plea
Before his arrest, Raja Chakra had sought interim protection from the Orissa High Court. However, on Wednesday, the court rejected his plea, clearing the way for the Crime Branch to take action.
According to Vinaytosh Mishra, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), CID, Crime Branch, Chakra was questioned about his involvement in the scam. Following the interrogation, he was formally arrested.
What Is the Multi-Crore Mining Scam About?
The case revolves around alleged financial mismanagement and fraud linked to the Gandhamardan Loading Agency and a Transporting Cooperative Society in Keonjhar. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch registered the case in February 2025 after receiving a complaint about irregularities in how the cooperative society was handling its funds.
The cooperative society was originally created to support villagers affected by mining activities, but investigators found that large sums of money were being misused.
Shocking Financial Irregularities Found
The investigation uncovered massive financial fraud within the loading agency and the cooperative society:
- ₹185 Crore Earned from 2017-2024:
- The agency generated ₹185 crore between 2017 and March 2024.
- However, large portions of this money were embezzled rather than used for public welfare.
- ₹34 Crore Taken in the Name of Development (But No Work Done)
- The cooperative society claimed that ₹34 crore was spent on peripheral development projects.
- Investigators found no evidence of any such projects being completed.
- ₹9.1 Crore Paid to a Petrol Pump for Fake Fuel Transactions
- A petrol pump was paid ₹9.1 crore, supposedly for fuel used by the mining agency.
- However, records show the petrol pump never supplied fuel to the agency.
- Instead, it was providing fuel for Raja Chakra’s personal vehicles, and the bills were covered by the cooperative society.
- ₹33 Crore Given to Villagers Without Proper Documentation
- A total of ₹33 crore was distributed among local villagers who were supposed to be members of the cooperative society.
- Officials suspect this was done to silence protests or divert funds for political purposes.
- ₹74 Crore in Fake Labour and Loading Charges
- The investigation also revealed ₹74 crores was listed as payments for labor and loading charges.
- However, the muster rolls and payment records show major discrepancies, raising suspicions that the funds were siphoned off.
- Shockingly, the society has not conducted any official audits since 2012-2013.
Who Else Is Involved?
Although Raja Chakra’s name does not officially appear in the cooperative society’s records, investigators found that he was controlling operations through his close associates, including:
- Sadashiv Samal
- Sudhansu Shekhar Naik
- Samir Jena
These individuals allegedly acted as middlemen to execute the financial misappropriations on his behalf.
Major Seizures and Actions Taken
The Crime Branch has taken several actions as part of the investigation:
- 42 vehicles belonging to Raja Chakra have been seized.
- Several bank accounts linked to him have been frozen.
- A detailed financial audit is now underway to track more missing funds.
Officials believe that further arrests may be made as the investigation continues to expose more individuals involved in the scam.
