Bhubaneswar, July 22 — In a significant development, the Commissionerate Police has issued a notice to V. Karthikeya Pandian, former IAS officer and close aide of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik, directing him to appear before the investigating officer for examination in connection with the alleged disappearance of two inquiry commission reports from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) during the previous BJD government.
Capital Police Station Case (460/26) was registered on June 10, 2026, based on a complaint lodged by the Home Department regarding the alleged disappearance of two inquiry commission reports, the Justice A.S. Naidu Commission report on the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and others at Jaleshpeta Ashram in Kandhamal district, and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) inquiry report on the tragic fire at SUM Hospital and Medical College in Bhubaneswar.
The notice issued by the investigating officer states that, based on information collected during the course of the investigation, it appears that Pandian “may be acquainted with the facts and circumstances” related to the case.
He has been directed to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Zone‑I, Bhubaneswar, at 11 a.m. on July 25 for examination and to extend his full cooperation with the investigation.
The notice further reads that Pandian is required to appear before the undersigned at the Office of ACP Zone‑I, Bhubaneswar UPD, on July 25 at 11 a.m. for examination and to extend full cooperation in the investigation.
It also states that he is requested to bring with him any documents, records, electronic devices, or other materials relevant to the investigation that may be in his possession or control. The notice adds that it is issued for investigation and compliance is expected in accordance with law.
Earlier, the Commissionerate Police had served notices on two former senior officials, retired IAS officer Rajesh Verma and former Odisha IT Secretary Manoj Kumar Mishra, in connection with the case. Mishra appeared before the investigating officer on July 18 and recorded his statement as part of the investigation.
Former IAS officer Verma, however, did not appear before the police despite being directed to report to Capital Police Station by 11 a.m. on Wednesday.