Bhubaneswar: Acting on the directive of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and based on a written complaint by SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahu, the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police has taken over the investigation into alleged irregularities in the preparation of school textbooks.

Official sources said a case has been registered by the Crime Branch under Case No. 08/2026 following the complaint filed by the SCERT Director. The case has been lodged under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 316(5), 201, 3(5), and 61(2).

Under the direct supervision of the Crime Branch SP, DSP Narendra Kumar Behera has been appointed as the Investigating Officer to probe irregularities in the preparation, approval, and publication of textbooks for Classes I to VIII.

Sources said the Crime Branch has constituted multiple dedicated teams for a thorough investigation. The probe will cover every stage of the textbook process, including content preparation, selection, approval, printing, publication, and distribution.

Officials added necessary documents, records, and other evidence will be collected, and individuals associated with the process will be questioned as part of the investigation. Further legal action will be taken based on the findings.

SCERT Director asked to file FIR

Following the detection of errors in school textbooks, the Chief Minister on Saturday ordered a criminal investigation into the entire process of their preparation and publication. He also directed the Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) with the Crime Branch Superintendent of Police.

Earlier, the state government had constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to ascertain the causes behind the discrepancies. Based on the committee’s findings, former SCERT Director Manoj Padhi and three Assistant Directors were placed under suspension.

Additionally, disciplinary action was initiated against six more Assistant Directors for their alleged involvement in the lapses.

The controversy surfaced after as many as 1,678 errors were identified in the newly published text books, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties and educationists.