Orissa High Court Friday rejected the bail pleas of two accused, Soumya Sankar Chakra alias Raja and Susanta Kumar Samal, in connection with a massive financial fraud involving the Gandhamardan Loading Agency and Transporting Co-operative Society Ltd.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Gourishankar Satapathy observed that “bail involves balancing individual liberty and societal interest,” but noted that the accused were “influential persons” capable of influencing witnesses.

“Considering the magnitude of the financial fraud and ongoing investigation, it is undesirable to grant bail at this stage,” the court added.

The case pertains to allegations that office-bearers of the society misappropriated between Rs 40–50 crore annually from 2017–18 to 2023–24.

The society, originally set up for

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