Odisha Recruitment Scam: HC Grants Bail To Wife Of Former OSSC Private Secretary

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday granted conditional bail to Sudhanshubala Sahu.

Sudhanshubala is the wife of Biranchi Narayan Sahu, the former private secretary to the member of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC). He was arrested by the Vigilance Department in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

The court directed Sudhanshubala to cooperate with the Vigilance in their probe.

Notably, the Vigilance sleuths had arrested Biranchi on July 31 after they detected DA to the tune of Rs 3.51 crore.

Following his arrest, Biranchi was suspended from his job and later dismissed.

Vigilance sleuths had also arrested his wife for alleged complicity.

Also Read: Sacked OSSC Officer Was Selling Insurance Policies To Job Aspirants In Odisha: Vigilance SP

Vigilance SP R Prakash said the preliminary investigation has revealed that Sahu was working for his wife, who is an insurance agent. He had sold over 900 insurance policies to the people including the candidates for OSSC examinations since 2009.

The arrest of Biranchi had triggered a statewide outcry after some job aspirants alleged irregularities in the recruitment by the OSSC. Some aspirants had told the media that although they had qualified for the job, the undeserving candidates were recruited in exchange for bribes.

Following the complaint, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took up the case to probe the money laundering charges against Biranchi.

The ED will investigate various angles – the source and the mode of monetary transaction, who have received the money, when and where the deals were made and who are the candidates who have got the job by offering the money.

Besides, the central investigating agency will also probe the complicity of OSSC officials in this racket and bring them under the purview of the investigation.

Also Read: ED To Probe ‘Financial Transactions’ Of Sacked OSSC Private Secretary