In a significant update on the mysterious disappearance of crucial documents from the Chief Minister’s Office, Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has revealed that technical teams are working to recover deleted data from the computers once used by the Kandhamal inquiry commission.
The missing files relate to the probe into the 2008 murder of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati and the subsequent communal violence in Kandhamal. The commission, which examined the events, had submitted its report years ago. Yet the official records appear to have vanished from the CMO, triggering both official recovery efforts and sharp political criticism.
Speaking to the media, Pujari said data had been wiped from the commission’s computers. “Efforts are underway to restore the deleted information using modern forensic techniques,” he stated. He added that if the original report cannot be located or fully recovered, the government may explore preparing a fresh compilation based on available materials.
The minister disclosed that some manuscripts and detailed witness statements remain with Justice A.S. Naidu, who completed the commission’s work after the death of Justice Mahapatra. Justice Mahapatra had handled part of the inquiry before his demise; Justice Naidu later submitted the final report in two parts to the then government.
Officials have already initiated contact with the commission’s former secretary Anil Pattanaik and other staff members. Pujari emphasised two priorities: an ongoing police investigation to locate the missing physical report, and data recovery from the hard disks. “If the report is found, it will be made public. If it has been deliberately destroyed or lost, strict legal action will follow against those responsible,” he said.
However, the minister clarified that current commission law does not provide a straightforward mechanism for preparing an entirely new report.
Opposition reaction was swift and scathing. BJD senior leader and MLA Prasanna Acharya accused the government of political theatrics. “If the government was genuinely investigating, no questions would arise. Instead, they are staging a drama to hide failures and trap others,” Acharya said. He claimed the administration had long known about the missing files yet suddenly raised the issue to shift blame.
The controversy has revived memories of one of Odisha’s most sensitive communal episodes. As technical experts attempt to resurrect deleted digital trails and officials reach out to former commission members, the public awaits clarity on whether the long-buried findings of the Kandhamal inquiry will finally see the light of day—or whether a new chapter of political sparring will dominate the narrative.
