Bhubaneswar, December 24: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has seized one Range Rover (Sport SE) vehicle standing in the name of Shankar Minerals, the proprietorship firm of Soumya Shankar aka Raja Chakra, the prime accused in the multi-crore mineral transportation fraud in Odisha, from near Gulmohar Court apartment in Pahala.

According to an EOW communique on Wednesday, the vehicle was seized on Tuesday.

For the context, Raja Chakra, BJD youth wing's vice-president and influential leader in Keojhar district, was arrested by the Crime Branch in March this year for his alleged involvement in a multi-crore mineral transportation fraud involving Gandhamardan Loading Agency and Transporting Cooperative Society Limited.

“As found during investigation the vehicle has been procured from the crime proceeds of the above referred case relating to massive fraud and misappropriation of funds of Gandhamardhan Loading Agency & Transporting Cooperative Society Ltd., Suakati, Keonjhar by Soumya Shankar @ Raja Chakra and his associates in respect of 40 - 50 Crs. Investigation has already established the misappropriation of more than 32 Crs of the society by the accused persons till date,” said the EOW release.

A total of five accused persons including Raja Chakra have been arrested in the case so far, and they are still in judicial custody. The investigation of the case is on, it added.

According to sources, Raja established multiple companies including Sankar Mineral, Sankar Transporting, Shankar Roadways, and Sankar Project. Several vehicles of Raja have been seized by the investigating agency.

Although Chakra held no official position in the Gandhamardan Loading Agency and Transporting Cooperative Society Limited, he reportedly controlled the society through his associates.