Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch on Friday stepped up its investigation into alleged irregularities in government school textbooks by conducting a search and inquiry at the office of the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) in Bhubaneswar.
A five-member Crime Branch team, headed by DSP Narendra Behera, visited the OSEPA headquarters as part of the ongoing investigation into errors detected in school textbooks. The officers examined records and sought details related to the preparation, review and publication of the books.
During the inquiry, four members of the investigating team questioned OSEPA Deputy Director Itishree Nayak regarding the procedures followed in developing and approving the textbooks before they were printed and distributed to schools. Investigators are examining the role of officials involved in the process and verifying whether prescribed protocols were adhered to during publication.
The search forms part of the Crime Branch’s broader investigation aimed at identifying those responsible for the textbook errors and collecting documentary evidence related to the case. Further rounds of questioning and examination of records are expected as the probe progresses.
The latest development follows the recent arrest of former SCERT Director Manoj Padhi by the Crime Branch in connection with the alleged large-scale irregularities in the preparation and publication of government school textbooks. Padhi was taken into custody after investigators questioned him on multiple aspects of the textbook preparation and approval process as part of the expanding investigation.
