Bhubaneswar, July 13 (IANS). The Crime Branch of Odisha Police has officially taken over the investigation into the irregularities in the preparation, approval and publication of school textbooks for classes 1 to 8 in the state. A case was registered in this matter on Monday.
According to an official statement, Crime Branch officials said that based on a written complaint lodged by Madhusmita Sahu, Director of Teacher Education and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the Crime Branch has registered case number 08/2026.
The case has been registered under sections 316(5), 201, 3(5) and 61(2) of the Indian Judicial Code, 2023.
Crime Branch said that the case is being investigated by DSP Narendra Kumar Behera of CID Crime Branch. The investigation is being monitored under the leadership of SP, CID Crime Branch. Several teams have been formed to examine various aspects related to the preparation, approval, process and publication of books for classes 1 to 8.
It is noteworthy that taking serious note of the mistakes found in school books from classes 1 to 8, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had taken an important decision on July 11. He had given instructions to conduct a criminal investigation into the entire process of preparation, approval and publication of books.
The Chief Minister had also directed the Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training to lodge an FIR with the Superintendent of Police of the Crime Branch for an independent investigation into the matter.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to find out the reasons for the mistakes in the books.
Based on the committee report, the former director and three assistant directors of the State Council of Educational Research and Training were suspended, while departmental action was ordered against six other assistant directors.
Let us tell you that hundreds of mistakes were found in the newly published school books, after which the state government had to face heavy criticism. When the opposition raised questions on the government, the government also took action and ordered an investigation into the matter.
–IANS
AMT/DKP
