Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch on Tuesday detained former State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Manoj Padhi for questioning in connection with the alleged irregularities in the preparation of school textbooks that triggered a major controversy in the state.

Padhi was being questioned by the Crime Branch as part of its ongoing investigation into errors found in newly published textbooks for Classes I to VIII. Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had placed Padhi under suspension.

The Crime Branch took over the investigation following the Chief Minister's directive and on the basis of a written complaint lodged by SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahu.

A special investigation team has been formed under the direct supervision of the Crime Branch Superintendent of Police. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Narendra Kumar Behera has been appointed as the Investigating Officer to probe the alleged irregularities in the preparation, approval and publication of the textbooks.

According to officials, the investigation will examine every stage of the textbook preparation process, including content development, selection, approval, printing, publication and distribution, to identify lapses and fix accountability.

The controversy erupted after over 1,600 errors were detected in the newly published school textbooks. The issue sparked widespread criticism from Opposition parties, educationists and other stakeholders, raising serious concerns over the quality of educational material supplied to students across the state.