World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
Former MP Bhaskar Rao surrenders in Odisha murder case
Former MP Nekkenti Bhaskar Rao and five others surrendered in Rayagada district, Odisha, on Monday in connection with the 2010 murder of tribal leader Bhagirathi Mandangi.
The surrender followed a Supreme Court order that cancelled their bail and required them to surrender within two weeks.
A Rayagada court rejected their bail pleas and remanded them to custody for 14 days.
Mandangi went missing in December 2010, and his partially burnt body was later found near a reservoir in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Police investigated allegations that Mandangi was killed over questions about temple management, while the accused face charges including murder and kidnapping.
The Supreme Court said the accused may apply for regular bail before the lower court.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Nekkenti Bhaskar Rao and five others surrendered in Rayagada, Odisha, in connection with the 2010 murder of tribal leader Bhagirathi Mandangi.
They surrendered on November 9 after the Supreme Court cancelled their bail and ordered them to surrender within two weeks.
A court rejected their bail pleas and remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days.
The case involves allegations including murder, kidnapping, criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
- Who
- Former Rajya Sabha MP Nekkenti Bhaskar Rao and five others.
- What
- They surrendered in connection with the murder of tribal leader Bhagirathi Mandangi.
- When
- November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Court in Rayagada district, Odisha.
- Why
- The Supreme Court cancelled their bail and directed them to surrender within two weeks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bhagirathi Mandangi went missing; his partially burnt body was later found near the Thotapalli reservoir in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
The Supreme Court cancelled the accused persons’ bail and directed them to surrender within two weeks.
Odisha Police’s Economic Offences Wing raided Rao’s office, residence and properties.
Rao and five others surrendered, and the court remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days.
- Accused who surrendered
- Nekkenti Bhaskar Rao and five others
- Murder victim
- Bhagirathi Mandangi
- Surrender date
- November 9, 2026
- Court location
- Rayagada district, Odisha
- Judicial custody
- 14 days