Kawasi Lakhma to stay in Odisha’s Malkangiri after Supreme Court bail condition

By A Iswar Rao

Malkangiri (Odisha), Feb. 8: Former Chhattisgarh minister and Konta MLA Kawasi Lakhma will temporarily reside in Odisha’s Malkangiri district in compliance with conditions imposed by the Supreme Court while granting him interim bail in a liquor scam case.

According to sources, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant granted Lakhma interim bail on February 3, 2026, directing that he must not enter Chhattisgarh except for court appearances. The court also ordered him to stay outside his home state during the trial. Following the directive, Lakhma chose neighbouring Malkangiri district, which shares a border with Chhattisgarh, as his place of stay.

Lakhma arrived in Malkangiri on Saturday and was welcomed by local Congress leaders and party workers. He later met the district Congress president and senior functionaries to discuss organisational matters. Speaking to party members, Lakhma said he would strictly adhere to all bail conditions laid down by the apex court. He added that he intended to use his stay in the border district to understand local issues and stay connected with the people.

His arrival has generated enthusiasm among Congress workers in the area, who termed his presence a morale boost for the party in the region.

Lakhma was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Economic Offences Wing of the state police on April 2, 2025, in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. As part of the bail conditions, the court directed him to surrender his passport before the trial court, refrain from influencing witnesses, and share his mobile number and whereabouts with investigating agencies during the trial.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the alleged liquor scam occurred between 2019 and 2022 during the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government and resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer.