Odisha Crime Branch Cracks Down on OTET Paper Leak Scandal: Top Board Official Arrested

In a significant breakthrough, the Odisha Crime Branch has apprehended Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, Vice-President of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), in connection with the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) question paper leak scandal. Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra disclosed the arrest on Sunday, stating that Mohanty played a critical role in the conspiracy.

Initial investigations had identified Jitan Maharana, a data entry operator at the board, as the prime suspect. Upon further enquiry, evidence pointed to collaboration between Maharana and Mohanty, who was responsible for the question paper's security. Mishra highlighted that Mohanty failed to delete the paper after sending it for printing, maintaining contact with Maharana outside office hours.

The scandal, uncovered on July 20, has so far led to the arrest of six individuals, including Maharana. Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal leader Lenin Mohanty has urged decisive action, questioning the accountability of educational authorities and calling for stringent penalties to prevent future breaches.

(With inputs from agencies.)