Odisha Crime Branch probes school textbook irregularities, registers case

The Odisha Crime Branch has registered a criminal case (No. 08/2026) under sections 316(5), 201, 3(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to investigate irregularities in Class I‑VIII school textbooks. An FIR filed by SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahoo led to the formation of several investigation teams that will examine every stage of the textbook production process – from content preparation and approval to printing, publication and distribution. The probe is being led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Narendra Kumar Behera under the supervision of the CID‑Crime Branch superintendent.

Former SCERT Director Manoj Padhi was detained and is being interrogated after being suspended for the massive errors found in the textbooks. The chief minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, alleged that the errors were part of a deliberate conspiracy to defame the state government, citing examples such as a claim that scientist Isaac Newton was a pilot. Several senior SCERT officials were previously suspended, and disciplinary action has been taken against others. Opposition leaders from the Biju Janata Dal have questioned the conspiracy claim, demanding identification of those responsible.