Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on Odisha’s BJD government over fake academic certificate racket, opposition BJP and Congress on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into the scam and exemplary punishment to those involved in it.
While BJP state president Manmohan Samal alleged involvement of ruling BJD leaders in the racket, veteran Congress leader and Jatni MLA Suresh Routray held the state government responsible for the scam and said Crime Branch can not nab the real culprits. While speaking to media separately, both sought immediate steps for CBI probe into the whole racket.
The demand by the opposition parties comes after the Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Odisha sought CBI investigation into the multi-state fake certificate racket.
In a stinging attack on Naveen Patnaik government over the issue, Manmohan Samal said only a thorough probe by CBI will unravel the truth behind the fake certificate racket. Stringent action should be taken against all the accused after a probe by the premier central agency, he said
Noting that the racket has put the careers of many students at stake, the senior BP leader accused the state government of remaining a mute spectator and acting “blind, deaf and dumb” in the whole episode.
Samal sought to know as to how the racket escaped government attention when the accused were playing with the future of youths for a long time.
Alleging complicity of ruling BJD leaders in the racket, the BJP leader sought to know as to how the state government with 25 agencies under its aegis failed to detect the fraud being run on a massive scale for such a long period.
Stressing that no one is above law, Samal said anyone found guilty or having links with the scam must be brought to book.
Attacking the state government in same vein, Suresh Routray alleged that the racket appeared to have flourished under the patronage of ruling BJD leaders.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should order a CBI probe to reveal the kingpin and others involved in the racket. It can ascertain how any certificates have been sold and how much money transacted, Routray said
Refuting the opposition allegation, senior BJD leader and government chief whip Prashant Muduli said Odisha police have always proved their investigating skill and professionalism. Therefore, opposition parties should have patience as investigation is being carried out in the right manner. The truth will be revealed and the culprits will be punished, he said.
