Report filed for missing investigation panel reports from Odisha Chief Minister's Office.

On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, the Capital Police Station in Bhubaneswar was bustling with activity as a case was registered regarding the alleged disappearance of crucial inquiry commission reports from the Chief Minister's Office. The incident took place during the change of government in 2024, leaving many questioning the whereabouts of these important documents. According to reports, the reports in question were submitted during the tenure of BJD and were deemed to be of great significance.

It was Joint Secretary in the Home Department, Sarat Chandra Marandi, who filed the FIR, expressing concern over the missing documents. He specifically mentioned two reports - the Naidu Commission Report on the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and the subsequent communal riot in Kandhamal in 2008, and the RDC Inquiry report into the Sum Hospital fire incident of 2016. Inspector B B Hota has been assigned to investigate the matter, as per the complainant's request.

Marandi also raised suspicions that the documents may have been intentionally removed, retained, concealed, destroyed, or dealt with unlawfully. The disappearance of these reports, which were considered to be highly important, has caused quite a stir and calls for a thorough investigation. The complainant went on to state that the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the reports were a cause for concern for the general public.

He also pointed out that the facts and circumstances suggest the possible commission of cognizable offences, such as unauthorised removal, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of official records. It is a matter that cannot be taken lightly and requires immediate attention. The issue was recently brought up by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.

In response, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi assured that if the allegations were true, the government would not hesitate to launch an inquiry into the matter. However, the opposition party BJD accused the government of misleading the public by bringing up the issue. This incident has caused a lot of concern and has sparked debates about the security and preservation of important government documents.

The people of Odisha, who rely on Orissa POST - the state's No.1 English daily, are eagerly waiting to see how this case unfolds and what steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.