Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Odisha Orders Probe into Missing Laxmanananda Murder Report
The Chief Minister of Odisha has ordered an investigation into the disappearance of an important report about the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in 2008.
This report, which took eight years to complete, has been missing since the change of government in June 2024.
The investigation will look into how the report went missing and who is responsible.
Several former officials have been summoned for questioning, but only one has appeared so far.
The murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati caused a lot of trouble in the area, and the report's findings have never been made public.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered a Crime Branch investigation into the disappearance of the Justice A. S. Naidu Commission report on the 2008 murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
The report was last traced to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and was missing after the change of regime on June 4, 2024.
Summons were issued to four former officials, but only Manoj Mishra has appeared and recorded his statement.
Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was assassinated on August 23, 2008, sparking communal violence in Kandhamal.
The commission's report was submitted on September 16, 2016, but its findings have never been made public.
- Who
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
- What
- Ordered a Crime Branch investigation into the disappearance of the Justice A. S. Naidu Commission report on the 2008 murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
- When
- Close to six weeks after the Odisha Home Department lodged a police complaint on June 10, 2024.
- Where
- Odisha, India
- Why
- To investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the confidential reports and determine accountability for the missing files.
Government Accountability
Opposition Criticism
Government's Role
Government Accountability
The current government is taking steps to investigate the disappearance of the report, showing commitment to transparency and accountability.
Opposition Criticism
The opposition argues that the previous government's handling of the report was negligent and that the current investigation is politically motivated.
- Date of Murder
- August 23, 2008
- Date of Report Submission
- September 16, 2016
- Date of Complaint Lodged
- June 10, 2024
- Date of Regime Change
- June 4, 2024
- Investigating Agency
- Odisha Crime Branch
- Key Figures Summoned
- V. K. Pandian, U. N. Behera, Rajesh Verma, Manoj Mishra
