Fake certificate racket: Bolangir coaching centre owner detained; marksheets, certificates seized

Expediting its probe into a fake educational certificate racket, Bolangir police on Saturday detained two persons including the owner of a coaching centre and seized duplicate certificates of many reputed institutions. OTV had first exposed the massive irregularities and telecast the reports on how aspirants furnished fake certificates to secure postal jobs in Bolangir.

Carrying out probe into the sensitive case, Bolangir Police today raided the coaching centre located near Bolangir College and seized several marksheets, certificates, verification reports, seals and a diary.

Earlier, after OTV telecast a story on fake certificates provided by job holders, four postmasters had gone missing in Bolangir district.

SDPO Tofan Bag said a special team was formed on the instructions of Bolangir SP after the postal department officials approached us after suspecting the authenticity of certificates produced by 37 job aspirants.

“Based on a tip-off, we conducted an inspection at the coaching centre and seized several blank certificates, stamps and seals. A diary has also been seized which contains the names of people who paid for the certificates and others who got jobs as well,” said Bag.

Bolangir Sub-Collector said “The search is underway by police and so far the team has found marksheets, certificate and verification reports. All such documents will be subsequently verified.”It is pertinent to mention here that applications were invited for recruitment to posts of postmaster, assistant postmaster and Dak Sevak in 83 branch post offices in 2022. Of the total applicants, 37 were those who deposited Matric certificates from Uttar Pradesh.

(Reported by Manoranjan Joshi)