Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Police Arrest Two Brothers in Alleged Odisha Truck Fraud Racket
Police in Bhubaneswar arrested two brothers, Manoj and Ashok Mohapatra, while investigating a truck case.
Police say their father, Niranjan, is also accused.
Investigators allege the family took vehicles through agreements and promised to pay the loan instalments.
They say the vehicles were then sold elsewhere and the payments were not made.
In one case, a company truck was handed over under an agreement in May 2026.
Police say four cases have been registered over similar allegations.
They say the alleged activity stretched across several districts in Odisha.
The brothers were sent to judicial custody, and police sought 15 days' remand to investigate further.
Mancheswar Police arrested brothers Manoj and Ashok Mohapatra in a truck-fraud investigation in Bhubaneswar.
Police allege the family obtained vehicles through rental or contractual agreements, sold them elsewhere, and failed to pay EMIs.
In the latest case, a BharatBenz truck was handed over under an agreement on May 20, 2026; police say the agreed loan payments were not made.
Police said four FIRs had been registered over similar allegations and named districts including Ganjam, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Boudh, and Bhadrak.
The brothers were produced in court and remanded to judicial custody; police also sought 15 days' remand for further investigation.
- Who
- Brothers Manoj and Ashok Mohapatra were arrested; their father, Niranjan Mohapatra, is also accused, according to police.
- What
- Police arrested the brothers while investigating alleged vehicle fraud involving trucks obtained by agreement, then sold without paying EMIs.
- When
- The arrests were reported on October 11; the cited truck agreement was dated May 20, 2026, and possession was taken on July 31.
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha; police say the alleged network operated in several Odisha districts.
- Why
- Police allege vehicles were obtained under agreements, sold elsewhere, and loan instalments were left unpaid.
- Arresting police
- Mancheswar Police
- Arrested
- Manoj Mohapatra and Ashok Mohapatra
- Other accused named
- Their father, Niranjan Mohapatra
- Cases registered
- Police said four FIRs had been registered over similar allegations.
- Truck agreement
- A BharatBenz truck was handed over under an agreement on May 20, 2026.
- Outstanding instalments cited
- The agreement required payment of 33 remaining EMIs, totaling around Rs 37.5 lakh.
- Areas named
- Ganjam, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Boudh, and Bhadrak; Brahmapur and Rourkela were also cited.
- Court status
- The brothers were remanded to judicial custody; police sought 15 days' remand for further investigation.
