Orissa HC Orders Crime Branch Probe Into OSSC Question Paper Leak

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Saturday ordered a probe by the Crime Branch into the leak of question paper of the Junior Engineer (Civil) main examination conducted by the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC).

As per the interim order of the HC, the investigation will be conducted under the supervision of a DIG ranked official or above. The High Court also raised questions over engaging a Kolkata-based private press for printing of question papers for the government examination.

The HC also allowed the barred candidates, who have approached the court against the decision, to appear in the main examination. However, their exam results will depend on the outcome of the case.

It may be recalled here that the Balasore Police had on July 27 arrested eight persons including the mastermind behind the question paper leak racket from Bihar. Nine others were subsequently arrested from Digha area in West Bengal.

On July 23, the OSSC cancelled the Main Written Examination for JE (Civil) conducted on July 16, 2023, after the Balasore SP had confirmed the question paper leak incident. The commission had also rescheduled the examination to September 3.

After the cancellation of the examination, a large number of aspirants staged a demonstration in front of the office of the OSSC demanding stern action against the staff and officials allegedly involved in the scam.

It is alleged that the accused persons leaked the question paper in exchange for huge sums of money from at least 88 aspirants.