Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch on Tuesday detained former State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Manoj Padhi for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the preparation of school textbooks that triggered a major controversy in the state.
Padhi, who was placed under suspension earlier by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is being interrogated by a specialised Crime Branch team.
Crime Branch DIG Battula Gangadhar confirmed the development, stating that the former director is being questioned as part of the ongoing probe into massive errors found in newly published textbooks for Classes I to VIII.
The Crime Branch took over the investigation following a directive from the Chief Minister and a written complaint lodged by current SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahu on Monday. A special investigation team has been formed under the direct supervision of the Crime Branch Superintendent of Police, with Deputy Superintendent of Police Narendra Kumar Behera appointed as the Investigating Officer. Investigators are examining every stage of the textbook preparation process — from content development, selection, and approval to printing, publication, and distribution — to identify lapses and fix accountability. This includes scrutiny of editorial boards, desktop publishing agencies, and printing presses, where officials are analysing records, seizing documents, and recording statements from involved parties.
The controversy erupted after more than 1,600 errors were detected in the textbooks, ranging from factual inaccuracies and broken mathematical formulas to grammatical and historical blunders. The issue drew sharp criticism from Opposition parties, educationists, and stakeholders, raising serious concerns about the quality of educational material supplied to students.
Reports indicate that warnings about errors were allegedly ignored at multiple levels, even in subsequent “rectified” printings.
Legal experts have noted that the Crime Branch has registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 316(5), which pertains to criminal breach of trust by a public servant and carries a maximum prison term of ten years. This empowers authorities to arrest the accused based on interrogation findings.
While the errors were initially viewed as extreme negligence, the probe is also exploring the possibility of intentional conspiracy. The Chief Minister has publicly suggested the presence of a deeper conspiracy aimed at discrediting the state government and the public education system. The state government has already taken administrative action, suspending three high-ranking officials and initiating disciplinary proceedings against others involved in the publishing process. A high-level committee had previously acted against ten individuals, with four immediate suspensions.
The Crime Branch is expected to make further arrests as the interrogation of Padhi continues and more details emerge regarding oversight lapses by the textbook committee. The scandal has involved significant public expenditure, with up to 50 specialised educators reportedly assigned for proofreading, making the scale of the failures highly suspicious.
