Bhubaneswar, July 23: In a significant development, the Commissionerate Police has issued a notice to former IAS officer VK Pandian, a close associate of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik. The notice requires him to appear before the investigating officer regarding the alleged disappearance of two inquiry commission reports during the previous BJD government.
The case (460/26) was registered on June 10, 2026, based on a complaint filed by the Home Department. It pertains to the missing reports of two inquiry commissions: Justice AS Naidu’s report on the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and others at the Jaleshpeta Ashram in Kandhamal district, and the report from the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) concerning a devastating fire at SUM Hospital and Medical College in Bhubaneswar.
The notice issued by the investigating officer states that, based on the information gathered during the investigation, it appears that Pandian may be familiar with the facts and circumstances related to the case.
He has been directed to appear for questioning on July 25 at 11 AM before the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Zone-I, Bhubaneswar, and to fully cooperate with the investigation.
Furthermore, the notice specifies that Pandian is required to bring any documents, records, electronic devices, or other materials related to the investigation that are in his possession or control. Compliance with this notice is expected under the law.
Previously, the Commissionerate Police had also issued notices to two former senior officials, retired IAS officer Rajesh Verma and former IT Secretary of Odisha Manoj Kumar Mishra, in connection with this case. Mishra appeared before the investigating officer on July 18 and provided his statement as part of the investigation.
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