By Sunil Jena
Editor-in-Chief, The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: The alleged ₹206-crore Bhapur Block corruption case in Nayagarh district has once again returned to the centre of Odisha’s political debate, raising questions about accountability across successive governments.
The controversy dates back to alleged irregularities between 2017 and 2022 in Bhapur Block under the Khandapada Assembly constituency, where fake bills and financial misappropriation amounting to nearly ₹206 crore were reportedly generated in various development works. The issue had triggered statewide outrage at the time.
Lokayukta Case and High Court Direction
According to official records, the case originated from a complaint filed by Surama Swain and others before the Odisha Lokayukta. The matter was registered as Lokayukta Case No. LY-44/2022.
Subsequently, petitioner Shantilata Behera, former chairperson of Bhapur Block, approached the Odisha High Court, which in its order dated 8 July 2025 in W.P.(C) No.15904 of 2025, directed further investigation.
Following the High Court’s order and instructions communicated by the Lokayukta, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Crime Branch registered EOW P.S. Case No. 09 dated 8 August 2025.
The case has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 472, 473, 506 and 34, along with provisions of the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The investigation has been entrusted to Namita Sahu, OPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police, EOW, Bhubaneswar, as per the official communication issued by the Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing, CID-Crime Branch.
Allegations and Political Fallout
The alleged scam revolves around the use of false bills and financial manipulation in development projects executed during the BJD government.
Critics argue that if the state government under then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had acted decisively, key accused persons such as Gayadhar Parida, Jyoti Ranjan Panda and Jogendra Kumar Swain could have been arrested earlier and the alleged corruption fully investigated.
However, opponents claim that the probe slowed down after the Lokayukta proceedings, allegedly to avoid political embarrassment for the then government.
Change of Government, But Questions Remain
After the BJP formed the government in Odisha in 2024 under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, many expected the investigation into the Bhapur Block scam to accelerate.
But the situation took a political turn when Gayadhar Parida, one of the individuals accused in the case, reportedly joined the BJP.
Following this development, former Bhapur Block chairperson Shantilata Behera moved the High Court, leading to the directive for a Crime Branch investigation.
Local Political Tensions
The controversy has also triggered a local political tussle within the Khandapada Assembly constituency.
Current BJP MLA Dushmanta Swain is facing criticism from some local leaders and activists who allege that the government is not acting firmly against those accused in the scam.
Meanwhile, Benudhar Pradhan, the current vice-chairperson of Bhapur Block, has reportedly been vocal in demanding strict action and the arrest of Gayadhar Parida.
These developments have led to fresh political questions: whether the anti-corruption stance of the present government will translate into decisive legal action, or whether political alignments will influence the course of the investigation.
As the Crime Branch investigation proceeds, the Bhapur Block case is likely to remain a major test of Odisha’s political commitment to transparency and accountability.
