Investigation – Odisha CID Traces Eight-Year File Trail in Missing Judicial Reports Case
Investigation – The Odisha Crime Investigation Department (CID) has launched a detailed inquiry into the reported disappearance of two important judicial inquiry commission reports from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Investigators are examining official records covering an eight-year period to understand how the files moved through different government departments before they were reported missing.
The probe focuses on the administrative movement of the documents between 2016 and 2024. According to CID Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra, officials are carefully reviewing records from the Home Department, the Chief Secretary’s Office, and the Chief Minister’s Office to establish the complete chain of file movement before questioning individuals connected with the process.
Review of Administrative Records Underway
The CID has started verifying the documented path followed by the files through multiple government offices. Preliminary examination indicates that the reports were forwarded from the Home Department to the Chief Secretary’s Office and later sent to the Chief Minister’s Office. However, available records suggest that the documents were not returned from the CMO after reaching there.
Officials said every stage of the file movement is being cross-checked with departmental records to determine where the official trail ended. The agency has stressed that the review is being carried out methodically to avoid overlooking any relevant documentation.
Nodal Officers to Assist the Inquiry
To make the investigation more efficient, the CID has requested each of the three departments involved to appoint a dedicated nodal officer. These officers will assist investigators by providing access to official files, movement registers, and other administrative records required to reconstruct the timeline.
Once the review identifies employees or officials associated with the handling of the documents, the CID will issue formal notices and record their statements as part of the investigation. Authorities said these interviews will help clarify the sequence of events and establish responsibility, if any.
Eight-Year Timeline Being Examined
Speaking about the progress of the case, DGP Vinaytosh Mishra said the inquiry covers a lengthy period during which the files passed through several stages of government administration. Since the reported movement spans from 2016 until the files were identified as missing in 2024, investigators are examining a substantial volume of official correspondence and departmental records.
He noted that the investigation remains at an early stage and that no conclusions will be drawn until every available document has been verified. The agency is prioritising accuracy by reviewing each procedural step before moving to the next phase of the inquiry.
Statements to Be Recorded After Verification
The CID has clarified that notices for recording statements will only be issued after the documentary review is complete and the relevant individuals have been identified. Officials believe this approach will help ensure that questioning is based on verified administrative records rather than assumptions.
Investigators are expected to continue examining government files, movement registers, and related documentation before determining whether further legal or departmental action is required.
Background of the Case
The investigation began following allegations that two significant judicial inquiry commission reports had gone missing from the Chief Minister’s Office during the period surrounding the change in government. The reported disappearance prompted the Odisha Police’s Crime Investigation Department to initiate a formal inquiry into the handling of the documents.
As part of the ongoing investigation, officials are analysing administrative records maintained by the Home Department, the Chief Secretary’s Office, and the Chief Minister’s Office to reconstruct the movement of the files and identify where the documented trail ended. Authorities have maintained that the inquiry will continue in a systematic and evidence-based manner until all relevant facts are established.