Bhubaneswar, July 13: The Odisha Crime Branch on Monday took charge of the investigation into alleged irregularities in the preparation, approval and publication of school textbooks for Classes I to VIII, officials said.

The move comes two days after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed a criminal probe into the matter, following widespread concern over errors in textbooks.

An FIR (Case No. 08/2026) has been registered at the Crime Branch based on a written complaint by SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahu. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 — 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 chief investigating officer. To ensure impartiality, multiple independent teams have been constituted to examine every stage of the textbook process — from preparation and content selection to approval, printing, publication and distribution. Officials said documents, records and other evidence will be scrutinised, while individuals connected to the process will be questioned.

The Chief Minister had earlier ordered the SCERT Director to lodge a complaint with the Crime Branch, following preliminary findings of a committee headed by the Development Commissioner. That committee had recommended disciplinary action against several officials, leading to the suspension of the former SCERT Director and three assistant directors, while six others faced departmental proceedings.

Also Read: Odisha CM Orders Criminal Probe Into School Textbook Errors

Police officials said the Crime Branch will conduct a thorough and neutral investigation, and subsequent legal action will be taken based on evidence. The probe is expected to establish accountability for the lapses that led to errors in textbooks used by thousands of schoolchildren across the state.

The controversy has triggered widespread debate over negligence and lack of oversight in the education system. With the Crime Branch now formally involved, the state government has affirmed its intent to pursue the matter with seriousness and transparency.