OTET question paper leak: Two accused taken on 2-day Crime Branch remand as probe widens

The Odisha Crime Branch on Sunday took two key accused in the OTET 2025 question paper leak case, including data entry operator Jitan Maharana and teacher Bijay Mishra, on a two-day remand, intensifying the investigation into one of the most serious exam integrity breaches in the state’s recent history.

According to senior Crime Branch officials, Maharana and Mishra will be subjected to intense questioning to establish the financial transactions connected to the leak. Investigators are already scrutinising their bank records and are also looking for evidence of cash payments.

Officials have indicated that the duo may be brought face-to-face with Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, Vice-President of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), who is also under arrest, to reconcile conflicting statements.

Eight Arrests and a Growing Conspiracy Web

With the remand of Maharana and Mishra, the number of arrests in the case stands at eight. Those in custody include Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, BSE Vice-President; Prashant Khamari, headmaster of Vejipada Upper Primary School, suspended earlier this week.

Several other board staff and intermediaries are suspected of aiding in the leak. Investigators also believe the leak was not an isolated act but the result of a well-organised network involving both insiders within the Board and external collaborators. The exact number of beneficiaries and the scope of the racket remain under investigation.

How the Leak Happened

The scandal broke when the OTET 2025 question paper surfaced online before the scheduled exam, triggering outrage among thousands of teaching aspirants. The state government was forced to cancel the exam, with the School and Mass Education Department promising a re-test under tighter security.

Meanwhile, parents of aspirants have urged the government to expedite the re-exam and ensure there are no repeat lapses. Independent audits of examination protocols and stringent penalties for insiders found guilty of compromising exam integrity.

The School and Mass Education Department has said it will not hesitate to suspend or dismiss any official found guilty. Ministerial sources confirmed that discussions are underway on adopting end-to-end encrypted question paper distribution and surprise personnel rotations before major exams.