Bhubaneswar, July 14: The Odisha Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested former State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Manoj Padhi in connection with the alleged irregularities in the preparation, approval and publication of school textbooks for Classes I to VIII. The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the large-scale errors detected in textbooks introduced for government schools.
Padhi was earlier detained by the investigating agency for questioning. After examining documentary evidence and recording his statement, the Crime Branch formally arrested him as part of its probe.
The investigation began on Monday after the Crime Branch registered a criminal case into the alleged lapses in the drafting, approval and publication of textbooks used across the state. The case has been registered under Sections 316(5), 201, 3(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint filed by SCERT Director Madhusmita Sahu.
The investigation is being led by DSP Narendra Kumar Behera under the supervision of the Crime Branch Superintendent of Police. Officials are examining the entire textbook preparation process, including the role of those responsible for content approval, editing, printing and distribution.
The case gained momentum after a state government inquiry detected 1,678 factual, typographical and printing errors in textbooks covering multiple subjects. Following the findings of a three-member committee headed by Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, the state government suspended Manoj Padhi along with three assistant directors of SCERT.
The Crime Branch is now widening its investigation to determine accountability at every stage of the textbook publication process. Officials are expected to question more individuals associated with the preparation and approval of the textbooks as the probe progresses.
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