Bhubaneswar, 04 August (H.S.): The Odisha Crime Branch on Tuesday intensified its investigation into the alleged disappearance of the Naidu Commission report from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), indicating that more individuals are likely to be questioned as the probe progresses.

Providing a key update, Crime Branch Director General Vinaytosh Mishra said that the investigation is being carried out using technical and scientific methods to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the missing file.

He stated that notices will be issued in phases, and any individual found to have a connection with the case will be required to cooperate fully with the investigation. “Those served with notices cannot evade questioning,” officials emphasised.

The DG clarified that the investigation is currently at a crucial stage, and no conclusions should be drawn prematurely. He stressed that the classification of individuals as witnesses, suspects, or accused persons will depend solely on the evidence collected during the probe.

The Crime Branch has already examined the movement of the file across departments. “We have studied the entire process, tracking the file from the Home Department through the Chief Secretary’s office to the Chief Minister’s Office. We have sought detailed information from all three offices regarding the handling and movement of the file,” Mishra said.

He further informed that the agency has requested the appointment of nodal officers in the concerned departments to facilitate the investigation. Once all relevant information is received and analysed, the agency will determine the next course of action, including issuing notices to specific individuals based on their roles.

“We are not rushing into conclusions. This will be a focused and systematic investigation, and individuals will be examined according to their respective responsibilities,” the DG added.

Reiterating confidence in the process, Mishra noted that legal provisions are in place to summon any individual as required. “We will proceed strictly through legal means, and we expect full cooperation from all concerned,” he said.

The agency maintained that the truth behind the disappearance of the file will emerge following a comprehensive examination of all evidence and statements collected during the course of the investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda