Bhubaneswar, July 22 (IANS). In a significant development, the Commissionerate Police has issued a notice to V. Karthikeya Pandian, a former IAS officer and close aide of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik. In the notice, he has been directed to appear before the investigating officer in connection with the alleged loss of reports of two inquiry commissions from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) during the former BJD government.
The case (460/26) was registered at Rajdhani police station on June 10, 2026, based on a complaint lodged by the home department. The case pertained to the alleged missing of reports of two inquiry commissions: the Justice AS Naidu Commission report on the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati and others at Jaleshpeta Ashram in Kandhamal district and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) inquiry report on the massive fire at SUM Hospital and Medical College in Bhubaneswar.
The notice issued by the investigating officer said that based on the information collected during the investigation, it appears that Pandian may be aware of the facts and circumstances related to this case.
He has been directed to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Zone-I, Bhubaneswar for questioning on July 25 at 11 am and extend full cooperation in the investigation.
The notice further reads that Pandian is required to appear before me at the office of ACP Zone-I, Bhubaneswar UPD on July 25 at 11 am for questioning and to give full cooperation in the investigation.
It also said that they are requested to bring with them any documents, records, electronic devices or other material relating to the investigation in their possession or under their control. The notice also states that it has been issued for investigation and compliance is expected as per law.
Earlier, the Commissionerate Police had issued notices to two former senior officers, retired IAS officer Rajesh Verma and former Odisha IT secretary Manoj Kumar Mishra, in connection with the case. Mishra appeared before the investigating officer on July 18 and recorded his statement as part of the investigation.
–IANS
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