Orissa High Court orders Crime Branch probe into OSSC question paper leak

Taking cognizance of the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) JE (Civil) Main written examination question paper leak incident; the Orissa High Court on Saturday ordered the Crime Branch to probe the matter.

The Court ordered that the probe should be conducted by a DIG-ranked official or above.

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

Earlier on July 27, the Balasore Police had arrested eight persons including the mastermind behind the case from Bihar. Then nine persons from Digha area in West Bengal were arrested.

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.

Soon after the cancellation of the examination, scores of aspirants staged a demonstration in front of the office of the commission demanding stern action against the staff and officials allegedly involved in the scam.

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