Odisha PMG Seeks CBI Probe Into Fake Certificate Racket

Bhubaneswar: The Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Odisha has sought CBI investigation into the multi-state fake certificate racket.

As per reports, CPMG Suvendu Kumar Swain has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate into the racket which has links with Uttar Pradesh. The Crime Branch, which is investigating into the case originating from Balangir, has come across involvement of people in other districts.

The PMG has reportedly requested for CBI report after Sambalpur division of India Post suspected the authenticity of certificates of some candidates during verification of applications for appointment to the posts of Gramin Dak Sevaks. The postal department has come across 42 cases of fake certificates during appointment to 1982 posts so far.

Bipin Bihari Negi, postal superintendent, Sambalpur, told the mediapersons that they suspected that at least 6 candidates had submitted fake document. “All these candidates had produced certificates from Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education. Their marksheets showed that they had secured 98%-99% in English and Odia. But we found that while writing undertaking during verification, they were unable to complete a single sentence correctly,” he added.

PMG Director Suresh Chandra Barik told a local TV channel that certificates of post masters and assistant post masters, who have got appointments after 2018, would be examined and action taken as per law.

Meanwhile, the Crime Branch has found evidence of the involvement of a 7-member syndicate besides the four arrested accused including mastermind Manoj Mishra. The syndicate has brokers and government employees who run the racket.

At the same time, the police have come know that 6 more candidates had taken fake certificates from Balangir. they include 3 from Balangir and one each from Bargarh, Deogarh and Kalahandi. The police came to know about these candidates during interrogation of Manoj Mishra by the Crime Branch. A team from Sambalpur police has left for the three outside districts to trace those candidates.