The seizure was made on Monday, January 12, in the Kotara Road police station area. Acting on a tip-off, police reached the Kulba–Sarwani route, where a white Mazada vehicle was found parked under suspicious circumstances near a pond. No occupants were present at the site when officers arrived.
Upon inspection, police discovered 80 sacks of paddy loaded in the vehicle. Each sack contained approximately 40 kilograms of grain, bringing the total quantity to about 3.2 tonnes. Based on prevailing procurement rates, the consignment has been valued at around ₹99,000.
Police teams conducted immediate inquiries in the surrounding area to trace the driver and ascertain ownership of the vehicle. However, local residents said they had no information about who had parked the vehicle or where it had come from. With no claimant coming forward, officers seized the vehicle along with the paddy and transported both to the police station for further action.
Officials suspect the grain was being moved illegally, possibly to bypass procurement norms or evade checks linked to the paddy purchase process, which has seen several irregularities reported in the district since the start of the season. Investigators believe the driver may have abandoned the vehicle upon sensing scrutiny or due to fear of being intercepted.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and police said efforts are underway to trace the vehicle’s registration details, ownership records, and any links to procurement centres or middlemen. CCTV footage from nearby roads and toll points is also being examined to reconstruct the movement of the vehicle.
Police officials said the seized paddy will be verified to determine its origin and whether it was procured legally. “The matter is being investigated from all angles. We are examining documents related to the vehicle and checking procurement records to establish the source of the grain,” an officer said.
The incident has added to concerns over irregularities in paddy movement during the procurement season in Raigarh and adjoining areas. Authorities have reiterated that strict monitoring is in place to prevent illegal transport and ensure that procurement processes remain transparent.
Further action will be taken once the investigation establishes responsibility for the abandoned consignment, police said.
