Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police have summoned V. Karthikeya Pandian, a close aide of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in connection with the alleged disappearance of two important files from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). These files include the judicial probe report on Swami Laxmananda Saraswati’s murder and the subsequent violence in Kandhamal, which occurred during the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) regime. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into what is being treated as a serious issue involving missing official records.
The Capital Police Station issued a formal notice directing Pandian to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Zone-1, Bhubaneswar, at 11:00 a.m. on July 25. He has been asked to cooperate with the investigation and bring any relevant documents, records, electronic devices, or other materials in his possession.
Contents of the Police Notice
According to the notice issued by Investigating Officer Bipin Bihari Hota, Pandian is believed to be acquainted with facts and circumstances related to the disappearance of the files. The notice states: “During the course of investigation in Capital Police Station Case No. 460 dated 10.06.2026 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), it appears that you (V.K. Pandian) may be acquainted with the facts of the case. You are hereby required to appear before the undersigned at the Office of ACP Zone-1, Bhubaneswar, on 25.07.2026 at 11:00 AM for examination and to extend full cooperation in the investigation.” The notice clearly indicates that the former bureaucrat’s role is being examined as part of efforts to trace the missing files.
Background of the Missing Files
The case pertains to the disappearance of two important inquiry reports that had been submitted to the CMO during the tenure of the previous government. While officials have not disclosed all details publicly, investigators have confirmed that the missing files relate to sensitive cases that had undergone formal inquiry processes.
According to sources within the Special Investigation Team (SIT), both files had reached the Chief Minister’s Office during the tenure of senior IAS officer Rajesh Verma, who was then serving as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. The movement and handling of these documents within the CMO are now under scrutiny.
Other Officials Under Investigation
As part of the probe, notices were also issued to Rajesh Verma and Manoj Mishra, former IT Secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, seeking information about the missing files.
Rajesh Verma Fails to Appear
Manoj Mishra appeared before the investigating team and denied any knowledge of the files, stating that he possesses neither hard copies nor soft copies of the documents in question. However, Rajesh Verma failed to appear before the police despite being summoned to report by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. His absence has become a point of concern for investigators.
Officials have indicated that illness was cited as the reason for Verma’s failure to appear. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari stated that the officer suspected in the case is currently unwell and will be questioned once he recovers.
“The investigation is being conducted step by step. The concerned individual is unwell at present, but will be examined after recovery. We are confident that the truth will emerge and the person responsible will be identified,” the Minister said. Despite this explanation, Verma has not yet appeared before the police, raising questions about the next steps in the investigation.
Possibility of Further Legal Action
Police officials have indicated that a new notice may be issued to Verma if he continues to be absent. Failure to comply with the summons could lead to further legal action, including the possibility of an arrest warrant.
Investigators believe that since the files reached the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), they must have been handled or routed through one or more of the officials currently under scrutiny, including Verma, Mishra, and Pandian.
“If the files indeed reached the Chief Minister’s Office, they must have moved through responsible officers at some stage. If all concerned deny knowledge, further legal action will be taken as per law,” an investigating officer stated.
Commissioner Briefs Chief Minister
In a related development, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh briefed Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the progress of the investigation. According to official sources, the Commissioner, along with Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena, met the Chief Minister at Lok Seva Bhavan for detailed discussions on the cases.
The notice to Pandian was reportedly issued shortly after this meeting, indicating that the investigation is being closely monitored at the highest levels of the State government.
Role of V.K. Pandian
V. Karthikeya Pandian, a former IAS officer who resigned from service in 2023, is widely regarded as one of the most influential bureaucrats during the tenure of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He served as the Chief Minister’s private secretary for several years and played a key role in administrative affairs.
Following the 2024 Assembly elections, in which the BJD lost power to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pandian briefly entered politics but later withdrew from public life. He has since maintained a low profile and is rarely seen publicly. His summoning in connection with the missing files case marks the first time he has been formally drawn into a legal investigation related to his tenure in the CMO.
Investigation May Expand Further
Officials have not ruled out widening the scope of the investigation if concrete information about the missing files is not obtained. Sources indicate that if none of the three officers provides satisfactory explanations, further action may be initiated.
Ongoing Probe
The Odisha Police have reiterated their commitment to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the disappearance of the files. Authorities are focusing on reconstructing the movement of the documents and identifying any lapses in record management.
The case has raised broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the handling of sensitive government documents. As the investigation progresses, the questioning of key officials, including Pandian, is expected to provide crucial leads.
For now, attention remains on Pandian’s upcoming appearance on July 25, which could prove to be a significant step in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the missing CMO files.
Background and Chronology of Events
The origins of the missing report date back to August 23, 2008, when Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates were killed at Jaleshpeta Ashram in Kandhamal district. The murder triggered widespread communal violence across the region, making it one of the most critical law-and-order challenges in Odisha’s recent past.
In response, the state government established a one-man Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Justice Sarat Chandra Mohapatra. The commission was tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the killing, the causes of the subsequent violence, and the role of various individuals and authorities. Justice Mohapatra conducted extensive hearings, recorded evidence, and collected affidavits. However, following his demise in May 2012, the inquiry remained incomplete.
Justice A.S. Naidu Completed the Inquiry in 2015
To ensure continuity, the Odisha government appointed retired Justice A.S. Naidu to take over the commission and complete the investigation. Building on the evidence already gathered, Justice Naidu concluded the inquiry and submitted the final report to the government in December 2015.
The report was comprehensive in nature, based on hundreds of affidavits, witness testimonies, and extensive documentary evidence. It provided a detailed account of the series of happenings, administrative response, and underlying causes of the Kandhamal violence.
Movement of Report Through Official Channels Between 2016 and 2018
According to official records, the inquiry report was duly processed and forwarded through established government channels. The Justice A.S. Naidu Commission report was sent to the Chief Secretary’s office on September 16, 2016, and subsequently forwarded to the CMO on September 19, 2016.
June 2024: Files Returned, Reports Found Missing
A key turning point in the case occurred on June 4, 2024, when several official files were returned from the CMO to the Home Department. The date coincided with the counting of votes for the Odisha Legislative Assembly elections, which resulted in a change in government.
While many documents were successfully returned, this report was not among them. This discrepancy raised suspicion and prompted a thorough review of records. Subsequent searches conducted within the CMO failed to locate the missing reports, leading authorities to conclude that their disappearance required a formal investigation.
FIR Filed and Criminal Investigation Initiated
On June 10, 2024, the Home Department formally lodged a complaint at the Capital Police Station. The complaint, filed by Joint Secretary Sarat Chandra Marandi, called for a detailed criminal investigation into the disappearance of the reports.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The provisions invoked relate to serious offences, including unauthorised removal, criminal breach of trust, concealment, and destruction of official records.
The complaint emphasised that the missing report was an important document prepared by a judicial and quasi-judicial body, and its disappearance from official custody raised serious concerns about potential misconduct.
Investigation Status and Key Concerns
Police officials have indicated that the investigation will examine all possible angles, including whether the reports were deliberately removed, misplaced, or destroyed. The fact that other documents from the same period were successfully returned has further intensified suspicion regarding the selective disappearance of this report.
Authorities have also noted that anyone found to have handled or had access to these records during their movement through official channels may be questioned. The possibility of criminal intent has not been ruled out.
Significance of the Missing Reports
The importance of the missing reports lies in their subject matter and the depth of investigation they represent. The Justice A.S. Naidu Commission report provides a detailed judicial account of the Kandhamal violence, including administrative actions and accountability.
