Koraput: Sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) court in Rayagada district has issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against six individuals, including BJD members and former Rajya Sabha MP N Bhaskar Rao, in connection with the 2010 murder case of tribal leader and Maa Majhighariani Temple trustee, Bhagirathi Mandangi.
Bhagirathi was brutally murdered on Dec 15, 2010. His charred body, with hands and legs bound, was found floating in a dam near Totapalli, Andhra Pradesh, around 70 km from Rayagada. SDJM Barsha Das, issued the NBWs while hearing a petition filed by Jagannath Mandangi, younger brother of Bhagirathi.
Zilla Adivasi Mahasangha of Rayagada, which has long demanded that the case be handed over to CBI, welcomed the court’s decision.
“For the past 14 years, we have been fighting for justice for Bhagirathi. We are hopeful of finally getting it from the court,” said Basant Ulaka, coordinator of the Mahasangha.
The Mahasangha earlier accused the police of failing to bring the culprits to justice due to their affiliations with the ruling party at the time. They claimed that Bhagirathi was targeted for exposing irregularities in the temple management.
“The court issued the NBWs based on substantial evidence and witness statements. The case has been filed under sections 302, 201 and 34 of the IPC,” said Samuel Tandi, the petitioner’s advocate.
Rao, who currently is the BJD’s Rayagada district unit president, could not be contacted for comment despite several attempts.