Naveen’s Aide VK Pandian Summoned By Police In CMO File Theft Probe
Asked to appear on July 25; the case pertains to the alleged disappearance of two commission-related files from the Chief Minister's Office. The Capital Police had registered a case on June 10 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the investigation has since gathered pace
Bhubaneswar: The Capital Police on Wednesday issued a notice to former Odisha bureaucrat and BJD leader V.K. Pandian, directing him to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Zone-I, on July 25 in connection with the alleged theft of two files from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
According to the notice, Pandian, a close aide of former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, has been asked to appear before the investigating officer at 11 am and cooperate with the investigation. He has also been directed to bring any relevant documents, records and electronic devices that may have a bearing on the case.
The notice was issued under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) after investigators concluded that Pandian “may be acquainted with the facts and circumstances” related to the case.
“During the course of investigation, it appears that you may be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the said case. Therefore, you are hereby required to appear before the undersigned at the Office of ACP Zone-I, Bhubaneswar UPD, on July 25, 2026, at 11 am for examination and to extend your full cooperation in the investigation,” the notice stated.
The case pertains to the alleged disappearance of two commission-related files from the Chief Minister's Office. The Capital Police had registered a case on June 10 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the investigation has since gathered pace.
Earlier, the police had served notices on two former senior bureaucrats in connection with the case. Former IT Secretary Manoj Mishra appeared before investigators on July 18 and recorded his statement.
However, former IAS officer Rajesh Verma failed to appear before the police despite being directed to report to the Capital Police Station by 11 am on Wednesday. With Verma not complying with the notice, the investigating agency is expected to decide its next course of action, which could include issuing a fresh notice or initiating legal proceedings as permitted under law.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh and Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena have briefed Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the progress of the investigation.
Revenue minister Suresh Pujari said the individual suspected of involvement in the alleged file theft is currently unwell and would be questioned once his health improves. He maintained that the investigation was progressing systematically and expressed confidence that those responsible for the disappearance of the files would be identified and brought to justice.
