Rayagada: On Friday, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch executed a search operation at the residence of former Rajya Sabha MP N Bhaskar Rao in Rayagada, in relation to a suspected fraud of Rs 80 crore involving a local truck owners’ association.

According to officials, a specialized team of 21 EOW members, headed by Additional SP Ashish Kumar Mishra, conducted thorough searches at Rao’s residence in Raniguda. The officers are in the process of reviewing and confiscating important financial records.

This investigation was initiated following a police complaint lodged by the late Y Venkateshwar Rao, a former president of the Truck Owners’ Association, who had alleged that the former MP and others misappropriated approximately Rs 80 crore belonging to the association.

Due to the severity of the alleged financial misconduct, the Rayagada police recently transferred the case to the EOW.

Prior to Friday’s raid, an advance EOW team had spent two days in the district gathering initial documents from the local police station.

At the time of the raid, Rao was reportedly not at home, as he is currently away from Rayagada. Investigators are now questioning his aides and staff, according to sources.