Odisha CM Majhi calls missing Naidu Commission report a conspiracy
Synopsis
Sixteen years after Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's killing on Janmashtami 2008, the probe has taken a new turn — the Justice Naidu Commission report has vanished from Odisha's CMO. Chief Minister Majhi has called it a conspiracy, ordered a Crime Branch investigation, and trained his fire on the previous BJD government, turning a cold case into a live political flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on 28 July declared the disappearance of the Justice Naidu Commission report from the CMO in Lok Seva Bhavan a 'well-planned conspiracy.' The Crime Branch has been tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of the report on the 2008 Janmashtami killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four associates.
Majhi sharply criticised the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government for alleged failure and appeasement politics in handling the case.
The Odisha government announced a ₹13 crore grant for the Jaleshpata Ashram , including a 300-seat girls' hostel .
The Government Medical College and Hospital at Phulbani has been named after Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
Seminars and workshops will be held across Odisha and national universities during the Swami's birth centenary year beginning 21 August .
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday, 28 July declared that the disappearance of the Justice Naidu Commission report and related files — pertaining to the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates — from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, was part of a well-planned conspiracy. Majhi made the remarks at a special programme marking the release of a book on the slain spiritual leader.
Missing Files and Crime Branch Probe
Chief Minister Majhi confirmed that the investigation into the missing files has been handed over to the Crime Branch, tasked with uncovering the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of the commission's report. He assured citizens that the truth would come to light and pledged that his government would not spare those responsible for the killing under any circumstances.
The Naidu Commission was constituted to probe the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four associates on the night of Janmashtami in 2008 — a case that has remained politically and communally sensitive in Odisha for over a decade and a half. The disappearance of the commission's report from the CMO has now added a fresh layer of controversy to the unresolved case.
Sharp Criticism of the Previous BJD Government
Majhi launched a pointed attack on the then Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, accusing it of alleged failure and appeasement politics in handling the aftermath of the killing. The remarks signal a renewed political offensive by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha against its predecessor on a case that carries significant religious and tribal dimensions, particularly in Kandhamal district.
Legacy of Swami Laxmanananda and Government Tributes
At the event, Chief Minister Majhi released two biographies of Swami Laxmanananda — Vedanta Kesari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati: Kruti O Byaktitwa, authored in Odia by Bipin Bihari Nanda and in Hindi by Banchhanidhi Panda. He described the Swami as not merely a monk but a protector of the tribal communities of Kandhamal and a beacon of spiritual awakening, citing his work through the Chakapada and Jaleshpata Ashrams to educate and empower tribal girls.
The Odisha government has named the Government Medical College and Hospital at Phulbani after Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Majhi also announced a ₹13 crore grant to preserve the Jaleshpata Ashram, construct a 300-seat girls' hostel, and improve infrastructure including water supply, with work set to begin shortly.
Prominent Attendees and Birth Centenary Plans
Former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, attending as guest of honour, described Swami Laxmanananda as a great freedom fighter, revolutionary, and leading figure of the Garjat movement, calling his contribution to the development of present-day Phulbani in Kandhamal unparalleled. RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, attending as chief guest, described Swamiji as a formidable force who dedicated his life to cow protection and uplifting the downtrodden.
During Swami Laxmanananda's birth centenary year beginning 21 August, seminars and workshops are planned across Odisha and at universities nationwide to propagate his ideals. The convergence of senior BJP and RSS figures at the event underscores the political weight the ruling establishment is placing on the Swami's legacy ahead of the centenary.
Point of View
Regardless of which party governed at the time. Chief Minister Majhi's decision to frame this as a BJD conspiracy serves a clear political purpose ahead of the Swami's birth centenary, but it also risks reducing a serious accountability question to partisan theatre. The Crime Branch probe will be credible only if it is time-bound, independent, and its findings made public — not deployed selectively. Notably, the case has been politically sensitive for over 15 years, and repeated promises of closure have not translated into convictions that satisfy all stakeholders in Kandhamal.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Justice Naidu Commission report and why has it gone missing?
The Justice Naidu Commission was constituted to investigate the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates on the night of Janmashtami in 2008. The report and related files have reportedly disappeared from the Chief Minister's Office in Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, prompting CM Majhi to call it a conspiracy and order a Crime Branch probe.
Who was Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati?
Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was a Hindu monk and social worker who worked among tribal communities in Kandhamal district, Odisha, through the Chakapada and Jaleshpata Ashrams. He is credited with efforts to educate tribal girls and was a vocal opponent of religious conversions; his killing in 2008 triggered widespread communal violence in Kandhamal.
What action has the Odisha government taken on the missing report?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has entrusted the investigation into the missing files to the Crime Branch. He has assured citizens that the truth will come to light and that the government will not spare those responsible for the killing.
What welfare announcements were made at the event?
The Odisha government announced a ₹13 crore grant to preserve the Jaleshpata Ashram, build a 300-seat girls' hostel, and upgrade infrastructure including water supply. The Government Medical College and Hospital at Phulbani has also been named after Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
Who attended the book release event and what did they say?
Former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and RSS Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale attended the event. Pradhan called Swami Laxmanananda a great freedom fighter and a leading figure of the Garjat movement, while Hosabale described him as a formidable force dedicated to cow protection and upliftment of the downtrodden.
