Cuttack: In a major development in the OTET question paper leak investigation, the Crime Branch of Odisha Police has arrested Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, Vice President of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), for his alleged role in the scandal. His arrest brings the total number of people apprehended in the case to eight.
The BSE is responsible for conducting key examinations across the state, including the Class-X board exams, OTET, OSSTET, and other teacher eligibility and certification tests.
OTET Question Paper Leak: How It Unfolded
According to Crime Branch DGP Vinaytosh Mishra, Mohanty was directly involved in the question-setting process and was coordinating with a Bhopal-based printing firm. The firm had sent him a password-protected OTET paper for proofreading — a copy he was instructed to delete after review.
However, Mohanty violated protocol by granting access to his laptop to Jitan Moharana, a data entry operator who had no official role in paper-setting. This unauthorized access allowed Moharana to extract the paper using a pen drive.
Call records between Mohanty and Moharana revealed over 100 calls in the last three months, many of which were outside office hours. Following interrogation, Mohanty was arrested on Saturday evening based on evidence collected by the investigation team.
ALSO READ| BSE Staff Among Six Arrested in Special OTET Question Paper Leak: Odisha Crime Branch
Wider Network and Financial Trail in OTET Question Paper Leak
Earlier arrests include Moharana, teacher Prasant Kumar Khamari, and other individuals involved in distributing the leaked paper. Investigators revealed that the paper was shared with leaders of the State Ex-cadre Teachers’ Association, who then sold it to brokers.
Khamari allegedly handwrote the leaked question paper using a Google Translate app. Crime Branch sources also confirmed that Moharana received ₹2.5 lakh via a UPI-based payment system.
The leak led to the cancellation of the OTET 2025 exam, which was conducted on July 20, affecting over 75,000 candidates. In response, BSE transferred six officials associated with the confidential and coordination departments.
Crime Branch Continues Investigation
While eight individuals have been arrested so far, the Crime Branch continues its probe to uncover further links, including financial transactions and additional culprits involved in the leak.
This incident has raised serious questions about examination security and the integrity of recruitment processes in Odisha’s education system.
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