Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Information Technology (IT) secretary Manoj Mishra appeared before police on Saturday in connection with the investigation into the alleged disappearance of inquiry reports related to the 2008 assassination of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati in Kandhamal district and a fire incident at SUM Hospital in the capital city.
Mishra and retired IAS officer Rajesh Verma, former principal secretary to Naveen Patnaik, were directed to appear before the investigating officers on July 22. However, Mishra requested an earlier date, citing his unavailability on July 22, and appeared on Saturday.
Mishra said he was fully cooperating with the investigation.
“An FIR was registered after it was reported that two important files were missing from the CMO. As part of the investigation, police are questioning officials who were in charge of or associated with the CMO during the relevant period. We are extending full cooperation to the investigating agency. Since the probe is underway, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” Mishra told reporters after his questioning.
The police did not disclose whether any evidence had been recovered or whether more notices will be issued as part of the investigation.
