Home Guard arrested for job fraud in Dhenkanal; father also under scrutiny

In yet another embarrassment for the police force, allegations of job fraud have surfaced in Dhenkanal, where a Home Guard posted at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office has been accused of cheating an aspirant by promising him a Home Guard job. The incident has once again cast a shadow over the integrity associated with khaki.

According to reports, the accused Home Guard, identified as Amar Jena, and his father Pradeep Jena allegedly took money from a resident of the Bhuban area after assuring him of recruitment into the Home Guard ranks. The father–son duo reportedly promised the victim, Ajay Nayak, that they would arrange the job in exchange for payment.

Acting on the complaint, Town Police launched an investigation and subsequently arrested Amar Jena. He has been forwarded to court even as further inquiries continue to determine the level of involvement of his father, Pradeep Jena, in the fraudulent activity.

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Narrating his ordeal, victim Ajay Nayak said, “By assuring me of a Home Guard job, Pradeep Jena and his son Amar took Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 from me. I have come to the police station to lodge a complaint about the incident.”

Dhenkanal Sadar SDPO Ramesh Chandra Dora confirmed the allegations, stating, “We had a Home Guard selection around seven months ago. Ajay Nayak came in contact with Amar Jena, who is working as a Home Guard. As per the complaint, Amar demanded Rs 1 lakh from Ajay for providing the job. Since Ajay could not pay the full amount, he gave Rs 20,000 to Amar and Rs 10,000 to his father. A case has been registered based on the allegation, and an investigation is underway.”

The incident has triggered concern over recurring corruption within the lower ranks of the force, raising questions about oversight and recruitment transparency.