Past OTET irregularities under fresh scrutiny: Why didn’t the Crime Branch investigate earlier?

In the past, the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) and other examinations in the state have faced multiple controversies and irregularities. Several incidents, including repeated question paper leaks, have come to light over the years. However, despite these serious breaches, there was neither a large-scale investigation nor any move to involve the state’s top investigative agency, the Crime Branch.

Notable incidents include the 2016 OTET examination irregularities, the 2018 Matriculation question paper leak, the 2019 OTET question paper leak, and yet another OTET question paper leak in 2022, which eventually led to the cancellation of the examination. At that time, the then-government merely conducted internal inquiries and closed the matter without deeper probes.

Now, with the Crime Branch officially taking up the investigation, many hidden details are beginning to emerge. This has raised a key question like why was the Crime Branch kept away from investigating OTET irregularities in the past?

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Critics allege that despite multiple examination scandals, the previous BJD government chose to remain silent. Reports suggest that in earlier instances of question paper leaks, no formal complaint was even lodged with the Crime Branch.

Following the latest OTET question paper leak, the probe has intensified. The Crime Branch is now delving into the operation of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), including the bank statements of the Board’s vice president, Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, and Jitan Maharana, to trace possible financial irregularities linked to the scandal.