Chief Minister Orders Criminal Inquiry Into Faulty Class 1-8 Textbooks

On July 11, Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi issued a directive for a full criminal investigation into the faulty textbooks issued for classes 1 to 8. The order came after hundreds of inaccuracies were uncovered in the newly printed curriculum, sparking criticism from opposition parties and parents alike.

Following the chief minister’s instruction, the Crime Branch registered case number 08/2026, invoking sections 316(5), 201, 3(5) and 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023. The investigation is being spearheaded by DSP Narendra Kumar Behera of the CID Crime Branch, with the SP of the CID Crime Branch providing oversight.

A series of investigative teams have been formed to probe every phase of the textbook production process, from drafting and content verification to the final approval and printing stages. The SCERT director, Madhusmita Sahu, was asked to file a formal FIR with the Crime Branch police chief to ensure an independent review.

Prior to this, a committee chaired by the Development Commissioner examined the root causes of the errors, resulting in the suspension of the former SCERT director and three assistant directors, while six other assistants faced disciplinary action.

The chief minister’s decisive move underscores the government’s commitment to accountability in the education sector and aims to prevent similar lapses in future textbook releases.